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WWDC 2025: visionOS 26 Rumored to Advance Apple Vision Pro Gaming

By Robert DeLuca in WWDC on

Gaming Takes Center Stage for visionOS 26 at WWDC 2025

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal event for the company’s spatial computing efforts, with multiple sources reporting a major gaming-focused update for visionOS 26. As first noted by AppleInsider and corroborated by 9to5Mac and MacRumors, WWDC will see the first full-year iteration of Apple's operating system for Vision Pro, bringing a host of anticipated quality-of-life and gaming enhancements that could recalibrate Apple’s position in the mixed-reality market.

A Strategic Shift Toward Gaming

Since its launch, Apple Vision Pro has been characterized primarily as a productivity and entertainment device. According to AppleInsider, the original visionOS releases centered on multitasking and spatial workflows, with gaming support largely limited to iPad-compatible titles and standard Bluetooth controllers. Early ecosystem limitations have kept the Vision Pro from directly challenging category leaders like Meta Quest or PlayStation

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Apple Tightens Approval on Push Notification Data Requests Amid Government Surge

By Robert DeLuca in Apple on

Apple’s Latest Transparency Report Highlights Stricter Data Handling

Apple’s newly released Transparency Report for the first half of 2024 underscores a pivotal shift in how the company navigates government requests for push notification data. For Apple enthusiasts and data privacy advocates, the numbers reveal a marked tightening of the company’s response to these growing demands.

Push Notification Requests on the Rise

According to Apple’s Transparency Report (June 2025), global government requests for push notification data nearly doubled, rising from 119 in early 2023 to 277 by mid-2024 (AppleInsider). In the U.S. alone, requests climbed from 48 in H1 2023 to 129 one year later. However, the company’s approval rate dropped sharply during the same period: globally, the rate fell from 76% to 59%, and in the U.S., from 88% to just 28%.

This data, as sourced from Apple’s report, suggests that authorities

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iOS 26 Rumored to Expand AirPods Capabilities with Sleep, Camera, and Gesture Features

By Robert DeLuca in AirPods on

AirPods May Receive Significant Feature Upgrades with iOS 26

As Apple prepares to unveil iOS 26 and macOS 26 at WWDC 2025 on June 9, multiple sources report that AirPods could receive a suite of notable new features through accompanying firmware updates. According to 9to5Mac and MacRumors, these enhancements, though unconfirmed by Apple, suggest a deepening integration between AirPods and the wider Apple ecosystem, with a focus on user convenience, accessibility, and productivity.

Rumored Enhancements: Sleep Detection and Hands-Free Controls

Sleep Detection: One of the most anticipated features is an auto-pause function that detects when users fall asleep—pausing playback automatically. Both 9to5Mac and MacRumors indicate this may leverage sleep data from Apple Watch, as AirPods lack built-in sleep sensors. This follows Apple's piecemeal approach to health and wellness integration, reminiscent of how it has gradually extended sleep-tracking features from watchOS to third-party accessories through the HealthKit framework.

Advanced Head

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Apple Forced to Uphold External Purchase Links as Appeals Court Denies Stay

By Robert DeLuca in App Store on

Ninth Circuit Denies Apple’s Bid to Delay App Store Rule Changes

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has denied Apple’s emergency request to delay rule changes to its U.S. App Store operations, a decision with immediate implications for both developers and Apple’s longstanding control over in-app commerce. According to Bloomberg and an official order document, this move stems from the ongoing antitrust litigation with Epic Games, a case closely watched by Apple enthusiasts and the broader developer community for its implications on App Store policy and revenue models.

With the court’s denial, developers such as Epic Games, Spotify, Patreon, and others can continue directing users to external web purchase options directly from their iOS apps. Notably, Apple is barred from imposing fees on purchases made outside its App Store and is prohibited from dictating

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Rumored Markdown Support in Apple Notes Marks Major Shift in iOS 26 Strategy

By Robert DeLuca in Apple Notes on

Markdown Rumored to Arrive in Apple Notes With iOS 26

According to recent reports from 9to5Mac, Apple is expected to introduce Markdown support in its Notes app with the release of iOS 26 and macOS 26 Tahoe. This rumor, widely discussed in the Apple community and covered by outlets including MacRumors, signals a noteworthy evolution in Apple’s approach to note-taking for both power users and professionals.

Rethinking Formatting for the Apple Enthusiast

Markdown—a lightweight markup language popularized by developers, writers, and productivity enthusiasts—enables text formatting with simple, keyboard-driven syntax. Rather than relying on toolbar selections for bold, italics, or headers, users can apply formatting by typing straightforward Markdown symbols (e.g., **bold**, # Header).

Should these rumors prove accurate, Apple Notes would join established players such as Obsidian, Bear, and Notion in natively supporting Markdown. For users who navigate multiple platforms supporting Markdown (including GitHub and Reddit), this

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Godot Engine Gains visionOS Support, Expanding Apple Vision Pro Development Options

By Robert DeLuca in visionOS on

Apple's Push into Open-Source Game Development: Godot Meets Vision Pro

The landscape of Vision Pro development is set to broaden as visionOS support arrives for the Godot game engine. According to an official update from the Godot project and reporting by AppleInsider, Apple engineers have recently worked with Godot’s developer community to integrate visionOS compatibility, with support now under active beta testing. This move positions Godot, an open-source alternative to engines like Unity and Unreal, to play a significant role in Vision Pro’s content ecosystem.

Collaboration Between Apple and Godot

Godot, known for its open-source roots and active community, first caught Apple’s attention in April. The Godot team, led by release coordinator Thaddeus Crews, confirmed via the project’s blog that a "good-natured request" from Apple staff kickstarted this integration. Within just over a month, visionOS support has reached the beta testing phase and is incorporated in

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Apple TV+ Positioned to Expand MLB Coverage, Outbidding NBC for Exclusive Rights

By Robert DeLuca in Apple TV+ on

Apple TV+ Positioned to Expand MLB Coverage, Outbidding NBC for Exclusive Rights

Apple TV+ is reportedly leading the race to acquire a significant package of Major League Baseball (MLB) media rights currently held by ESPN, according to multiple sources cited by Sports Business Journal. This potential acquisition could mark another pivotal step for Apple in streaming live sports content, intensifying competition with both traditional broadcasters and digital platforms.

Background: MLB’s Media Rights Landscape in Transition

MLB's national media rights are currently divided among major networks including ESPN, Fox Sports, and TNT Sports. The existing contract with ESPN reportedly features Sunday Night Baseball and other exclusive game slots. As MLB negotiates new deals, it faces a core industry challenge—balancing financial returns from digital-first entrants against the broader reach of legacy broadcasters.

Recent reports indicate that NBC submitted a bid for the entirety of ESPN’s MLB package. However, Apple’

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Rumor: visionOS 26 May Expand Support to PlayStation VR2 Spatial Controllers

By Robert DeLuca in Apple Vision Pro on

Broader Controller Compatibility on the Horizon for Vision Pro?

A recent report (as highlighted by AppleInsider) signals a potential shift in Apple’s spatial computing approach: future updates to visionOS—specifically visionOS 26—may unlock full support for spatial controllers like the PlayStation VR2, a move that could have significant ramifications for Apple’s mixed reality platform.

Shifting from Traditional Gamepad Support

Currently, Apple Vision Pro accommodates standard Xbox and PlayStation controllers for Apple Arcade gameplay, creating a bridge between familiar gaming hardware and Apple’s spatial interface. However, the device still lacks integration with advanced spatial controllers that offer richer motion tracking and haptic feedback. According to AppleInsider, sources claim visionOS 26 could fill this gap by allowing third-party spatial controllers—most notably the PlayStation VR2 controller—to be natively supported.

The Sony Connection: A Strategic Outreach

This development aligns with a December 2024 rumor that Apple had directly

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Apple Design Awards 2025: Highlighting Innovation with Balatro and Watch Duty

By Robert DeLuca in Apple Design Awards on

Every year, the run-up to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) brings a moment where the spotlight turns not to hardware or software roadmaps, but to the creativity fueling the App Store. Apple has announced the winners of the 2025 Apple Design Awards, a tradition that honors excellence in app and game development, less than a week ahead of WWDC’s next major keynote.

Recognizing Creativity and Craftsmanship

The Apple Design Awards have become a central pillar in Apple’s relationship with its developer community. According to Apple’s official statement, 36 finalists were chosen from across the globe, with 12 winners ultimately selected for their exceptional design and technical achievement. Each of the six main categories featured one app and one game as winners, underscoring both functional and entertainment-focused innovation.

Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, stated: “Developers continue to push the boundaries of what's

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iOS 26 Rumor Roundup: Reported Features for Messages, Music, Notes, and CarPlay

By Robert DeLuca in iOS 26 on

iOS 26 Rumor Roundup: Reported Features for Messages, Music, Notes, and CarPlay

As anticipation mounts ahead of WWDC 2025, new information has surfaced detailing five potential features reportedly coming in iOS 26. While most recent reports have centered on a major visual redesign—possibly aligning iOS more closely with visionOS—a fresh leak, cited by 9to5Mac and AppleInsider, spotlights upcoming enhancements to core Apple applications, including Messages, Music, Notes, and CarPlay. This article examines the rumored features, situates them within Apple's broader software direction, and outlines possible implications for users, developers, and the iOS ecosystem.

Reported Features: What Sources Are Saying

According to 9to5Mac and AppleInsider, anonymous but historically reliable sources have indicated the following features may be revealed during the iOS 26 keynote:

  • Messages: New tools and UI improvements reportedly aim to streamline conversations and increase accessibility. Sources suggest enhancements tailored for group chats and support for advanced media
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iPhone 18 Pro’s Rumored A20 Chip: 2nm Technology and a New Packaging Era

By Robert DeLuca in iPhone 18 Pro on

Apple’s chip development roadmap has long dictated the performance trajectory of its flagship product lines, and if current industry reports hold, the iPhone 18 Pro line—and potentially Apple’s first folding iPhone—could mark a new era in mobile silicon.

The 2nm Transition: What’s Changing?

Multiple analyst reports, including recent commentary from Jeff Pu (GF Securities) and Ming-Chi Kuo (TF International Securities), point to Apple equipping the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and projected iPhone Fold with a newly designed A20 processor. The most discussed upgrade is the use of TSMC’s 2nm fabrication technology, representing a generational leap from the 3nm nodes used in current A-series chips.

Advancements in Fabrication

TSMC’s 2nm process is expected to enable higher transistor densities, leading to improvements in performance and efficiency. According to industry sources, the 2nm node could allow for:

  • Increased processing performance with comparable or reduced power
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iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air: Conflicting Reports Emerge on ProMotion and Display Tech

By Robert DeLuca in iPhone 17 on

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 series, especially the standard and rumored "Air" models, continues to generate considerable discussion among industry analysts and rumor trackers. Discrepancies have recently surfaced regarding whether these non-Pro models will finally adopt ProMotion displays—a feature long exclusive to Apple's Pro lineup since the debut of the iPhone 13 Pro.

Contradictory Reports on ProMotion and 120Hz Panels

Multiple sources over recent months have suggested Apple might equip the base iPhone 17 and the new iPhone 17 Air with ProMotion, bringing 120Hz adaptive refresh OLED technology to a wider user base. Specifically, this would involve shifting from the current low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panels at 60Hz (as seen on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus) to either LTPO-based adaptive panels or at least higher-fixed-refresh alternatives.

In the latest development, a Chinese leaker with a mixed track record has disputed this narrative. Citing industry sources, the leaker—

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iPhone 16e Enters Europe’s Top 10, But Faces Value Hurdles in Apple’s Lineup

By Robert DeLuca in iPhone 16e on

iPhone 16e Gains Traction but Not Dominance in Europe

The introduction of Apple’s iPhone 16e to the European market has drawn industry attention after the device entered the region’s top ten best-selling smartphones in March 2025. According to data from Counterpoint Research, as cited by AppleInsider, the iPhone 16e claimed the ninth spot in these rankings during its launch month, accounting for 8% of Apple’s unit sales and 2% of total smartphone sales in Europe.

While Apple’s established fanbase and retail presence typically support new product launches, this midtier entrant is facing notable headwinds. The iPhone 16e’s performance, though statistically significant, lags behind the results achieved by prior midrange Apple devices, such as the iPhone SE. Counterpoint’s data suggests that a competitive pricing landscape, combined with macroeconomic pressures, may be limiting broader adoption within price-sensitive segments of the European market.

Pricing Strategy and Internal

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Polestar Confirms Ongoing Commitment to Apple CarPlay Ultra Integration

By Robert DeLuca in CarPlay Ultra on

Polestar Confirms Ongoing Commitment to Apple CarPlay Ultra Integration

Apple’s CarPlay Ultra is entering the automotive landscape at a measured pace, but not without momentum from notable partners. On June 2, Polestar, the electric vehicle (EV) brand under the Volvo Car Group umbrella, confirmed to MacRumors that it continues to plan for CarPlay Ultra integration in its forthcoming EV models. While the company stopped short of providing a concrete timeline or additional rollout specifics, this public affirmation stands out as several automakers remain silent about their future plans for CarPlay Ultra.

What Is CarPlay Ultra?

Launched in May 2025, CarPlay Ultra represents Apple’s next-generation in-car user interface. Expanding far beyond earlier versions of CarPlay, the system now offers:

  • Deep integration with a vehicle’s instrument cluster and native systems
  • Support for built-in apps, including Radio and Climate controls
  • Customizable widgets and tailored automotive branding
  • Adjustable color schemes for
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Apple Unveils 'Sleek Peek' Teaser and Visual Updates Ahead of WWDC 2025

By Robert DeLuca in WWDC 2025 on

With WWDC 2025 set to begin on June 9, Apple has refreshed anticipation for the event by unveiling a new “Sleek peek” tagline and updated graphics on its official WWDC website and promotional materials. The new campaign replaces the previous “On the horizon” tagline, introducing fresh visual motifs just one week before the opening keynote.

Updated Visuals: Glass-Inspired Aesthetic

Apple’s latest WWDC 2025 graphics now showcase a glass-like Apple logo illuminated with shifting colors. Previous weeks featured a glass effect with a rainbow motif, but the most recent update cycles through animated graphics—including the Apple logo, the Swift logo, and a stylized rainbow—echoing Apple's evolving design language for the event. The aesthetic aligns closely with Apple’s recent focus on transparency, depth, and vibrant color layering.

Messaging and Strategic Positioning

The new “Sleek peek” tagline surfaced on Apple’s WWDC event page and was further amplified by

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