Apple’s release notes for iOS 18.7.6 simply say “bug fixes,” but the Australian support page tells a different story: the update fixes a Telstra network issue that could interfere with emergency services calls on certain older iPhones.
The 26.3.1 updates for macOS Tahoe, iOS, and iPadOS add support for the new Studio Display models and fix a few bugs, while visionOS 26.3.1 fixes a flicker issue in the Apple TV app.
Apple’s new iPad Air features the M4 chip, 12 GB of unified memory (up from 8 GB), and the N1 and C1X connectivity chips for Wi-Fi 7 and faster cellular. Prices remain unchanged at $599 and $799.
The iPhone 17e brings MagSafe to Apple’s entry-level iPhone, doubles base-level storage to 256 GB, and adds the A19 chip, but the iPhone 17 may still be the better value.
If you enjoy hearing two longtime Apple observers geek out about interface details, Adam Engst’s conversation with John Gruber on The Talk Show offers hours of iOS 26 interface commentary.
Jason Snell’s annual Apple Report Card shows Hardware Reliability topping the list again, but the controversial Liquid Glass design dragged software scores to new lows, and Tim Cook’s relationship with the Trump administration caused Apple’s Impact on the World category to crater.
After a fainting spell left Adam Engst with a doctor’s order to drink 100 ounces daily, he turned to HiWater. This elegant iPhone and Apple Watch app tracks hydration and nags you to drink—sometimes too well.
Don’t expect new features in Apple’s OS 26.3 updates, but be sure to install them soon. They patch dozens of security vulnerabilities and address an actively exploited flaw Apple says was used in sophisticated spyware attacks.
Apple’s latest updates for older operating systems extend certificates so iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation continue to work after January 2027. Meanwhile, iOS 16.7.14 may address a Telstra network issue affecting older iPhones in Australia.
The new AirTag needs new software—no surprise there. More interesting are the updates Apple pushed to iOS versions dating back to iOS 12, extending certificates that would otherwise expire in January 2027.
Apple’s second-generation AirTag arrives with a new Ultra Wideband chip that extends Precision Finding range by 50%, a speaker that’s 50% louder, and Precision Finding support on the Apple Watch Series 9 or later.
Matt Neuburg’s free TidBITS News app gets a notable update with a complete rewrite for iOS 26 and Swift 6.2, plus Dark mode support. Even better, he has open-sourced the code on GitHub for curious developers.
Adam Engst walks you through Apple’s OS 26.2 updates, highlighting new alarms in Reminders, auto-generated chapters in Podcasts, Enhanced Safety Alerts, and Edge Light for Mac video calls—along with urgent fixes for two actively exploited WebKit vulnerabilities.
Was it a sophisticated iPhone hack, a pickpocketing distraction, or just a weird coincidence? After a TidBITS reader’s suspicious encounter with a lost tourist, we examine the security of modern iPhones and offer practical tips for travelers who want to help strangers without becoming targets.
Apparently, humor columnist Dave Barry’s brain is full, causing him to leave his iPad in public places—well, one public place—but Find My helped him recover it not just once, but twice. It’s a good reminder to turn on Find My and use Apple’s lost device options.