Apple has released the latest developer beta for iOS 18. Beta 6 comes less than a week after beta 5 debuted, and confirms releases are ramping up leading into the fall.

Apple is now rolling out iOS 18.1 beta 2 to developers, two weeks after it began iOS 18.1 beta testing. iOS 18.1 includes the first set of Apple Intelligence features, including a redesigned Siri, Writing Tools, and more.

Here’s everything you need to know about the current iOS 18 beta cycle…

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For years, Patreon has been exempt from Apple’s 30% App Store cut for reasons that weren’t entirely clear. But that era is about to end. The popular crowdfunding platform has announced to creators that supporters will need to start using Apple’s in-app payment system soon.

Apple’s iPhone 16 event is only weeks away, and new AirPods are expected to debut there too. But will the next-generation AirPods Pro 3 be among them? Here’s everything we know about the AirPods Pro 3 release date and expected features.

More schools are banning students from using smartphones in classes, with calls for a federal ban rather than the current mix of state laws. Apple’s home state of California is expected to be the next state to introduce a ban.

Orlando has so far taken the toughest line, banning smartphone use during the entire day, and blocking access to social media networks on the school wifi …

A primary contributor to the high price of Apple Vision Pro is the displays it uses; two cutting-edge 4K micro-OLED displays, one for each eye. Research analysts at Omdia report the current 1.4-inch OLED displays cost Apple about $300 each.

That means, of the $3500 starting price for the Apple Vision Pro, about 20% (~$600) of that money just goes to paying for the cost of the displays. (That’s not counting the outward facing EyeSight display, either). The good news for the future Vision Pro roadmap is that cost of these micro-OLED panels is coming down, albeit slowly.

A research paper explains how Apple Intelligence is designed, and the steps the company takes to ensure the safety of the models.

The paper also gives a glimpse into the scale and complexity of the on-device AI capabilities, noting that the core model which runs entirely on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac has around three billion parameters …

It was reported earlier this year that Apple cancelled plans for a micro-LED Apple Watch, finding them too difficult to produce in the quantities that would be needed.

Display supplier LG was set to make a key component for this display, and is now said to be seeking compensation for the cancellation of the project …

All reports point to the 2025 iPhone SE being a huge upgrade from the 2022 model, but the more we hear about it, the more it looks set to prove a very viable option for those who want a modern iPhone without paying flagship prices.

A reasonably contemporary form factor, and the ability to use Apple Intelligence features, mean it’s set to deliver a lot of bang for the buck …

With Apple Intelligence requiring an M1 chip or newer, it’s never been a better time to buy your first MacBook, or upgrade an older MacBook you’re still holding on to. MacBooks are more affordable than ever in the Apple Silicon era, with the cheapest options starting below $700. These are the best deals if you’re looking to buy a new MacBook on a budget.

Shortly after the release of macOS Big Sur back in 2020, Apple faced widespread server outages. The outage affected macOS installations, iMessage, Apple Pay, and most notably: the notarization service. This meant that users had major issues opening apps, revealing a flaw in how Apple handles app verification on the Mac.

In the latest Power On Newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman clarifies some details about next year’s slim iPhone 17 model, which he refers to as an iPhone 17 “Air.” The analyst also goes on to provide details about Apple’s future iPhone plans, including a “Pro” model with a slimmer chassis, as well as the possibility of a folding iPhone.

According to the latest edition of Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, Apple’s Vision group is continuing to experiment with a couple different products to follow up the launch of Apple Vision Pro from earlier this year. These new products include a cheaper Apple Vision headset, a second generation of Apple Vision Pro, as well as a version of Smart Glasses.

On the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, Apple finally got rid of the Lightning port and replaced it with USB-C. This opens up a whole new world of convenience of connecting accessories and peripherals. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max go one step further, as the USB-C port on the pro models supports USB-3 speeds, enabling up to 10 Gbps data transfer speeds.

USB-C makes it easy to connect displays, external storage, cameras, and charge using the same cable as all your other devices. Here’s what you can do with your new iPhone and its shiny new port …

Apple is expected to unveil two new iPad models this fall, potentially at its annual iPhone keynote next month. This will include a new entry-level 11th generation model, as well as the 7th generation of iPad mini. Both of these models have gone over 2 years without an update, so we’re overdue for a refresh.

After allowing people to buy their way to the top of the replies section by purchasing an X Premium subscription, the social media platform has now launched a new menu to allow users to sort through replies with more traditional options.

After becoming the first Apple Store in the country to unionize back in June 2022, the retail employees at the Towson Town Center location have reached a “historic” union contract with Apple this week, providing numerous benefits to the workers. This win comes after the union planned a strike earlier this year regarding the contract negotiations.

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Passkey adoption is completely changing the way we approach cybersecurity, marking a major move forward in improving account security posture. Traditional passwords have long been vulnerable to breaches, causing substantial financial and reputational damage to companies worldwide. Passkeys, a technology pioneered by the FIDO Alliance, offer a great solution by eliminating the weaknesses associated with passwords and enhancing user experience with frictionless, phishing-resistant authentication based on biometrics in a way that preserves user privacy. Dashlane has just published a report of the top 20 fastest-growing sites driving passkey adoption.

Apple last year introduced its own Journal app as part of iOS 17.2. However, as I myself wrote here on 9to5Mac, the app is quite basic compared to other alternatives available on the App Store. But a new patent suggests that Apple Intelligence may change everything for the Journal app in the future.