Meta is on an iPhone app launch streak after introducing two new apps in May. The latest is dedicated app for a key Facebook feature: groups.
Expand Expanding CloseMeta has released two new apps for iPhone this month
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Zac Hall is a Senior Editor, covering Apple, apps, and AI. His work is regularly featured by Techmeme.
He joined 9to5Mac in 2013. He later served as Lead Editor from 2016 through 2020, before creating the Space Explored website.
In 2015, Zac began co-hosting 9to5Mac Happy Hour, establishing the format of the site’s premier podcast, which he hosted for eight years.
In 2018, he created 9to5Mac Daily, providing audio recaps of Apple and technology news each weekday. He also hosted multiple seasons of the 9to5Mac Watch Time podcast, a health and fitness-focused interview series.
Zac is based in the lovely Gulf Coast town of Ocean Springs, MS, where he lives with his brilliant kids and Nova, his loyal Cavachon rescue.
Contact: zac@9to5mac.com
iOS 26 tweaks iPhone Always On Display in a way you might not like
Apple’s Always On Display has been fairly consistent since it debuted on iPhone 14 Pro. With iOS 26, Apple quietly changed how it works in a way that may not be obvious.
Expand Expanding CloseCodex for Mac updated with new Appshots feature that instantly gives chat context
OpenAI just released this week’s Codex desktop app update, and it includes a brand new feature on Mac called Appshots.
Expand Expanding CloseSpotify to offer AI tool that will let subscribers remix songs and cover music
As Spotify users around the world await the return of their good old fashioned app icon, the company has a handful of news to share in a range of areas. New features coming soon include AI-powered remix tools, concert ticket reservations, and more.
Expand Expanding ClosePerplexity’s Comet AI browser for iOS upgraded with 8 major improvements
Two months ago, Perplexity brought its Comet AI browser from the Mac to the iPhone and iPad for the first time. Now Perplexity has launched a big update to Comet for iOS that it says includes eight major improvements.
Expand Expanding CloseOpenAI improves Codex iOS experience with turn completion alerts, new commands, more
Last week, OpenAI updated ChatGPT for iPhone and iPad with access to Codex, its agentic coding tool for Mac. Since launching, the Codex iOS experience has improved in a few key ways.
Expand Expanding CloseHovercraft is a new Mac app that makes video call presentations feel more personal
The simple act of sharing your screen in a way that feels natural during a video call can be overly complicated. Hovercraft is a new Mac app that solves a very specific problem around screen sharing during video calls.
Expand Expanding CloseAirbnb upgrades iOS and Android app with three key enhancements for your next trip
Airbnb launched a major iOS and Android app redesign a year ago. The updated app surfaced new experiences to have on vacation beyond just where you choose to stay.
Now Airbnb is further transforming its app into an all-in-one destination for managing your next trip by integrating four useful new services.
The new Airbnb app is also leveraging AI with three new features, and the service is expanding the types of destinations you can book.
Expand Expanding CloseAnthropic enhances Claude Managed Agents with two new privacy and security features
Anthropic is introducing two new features for Claude Managed Agents that give users more control over the security and privacy.
Expand Expanding CloseGovee TV Backlight 3 brings cinema-grade reactive lighting with Matter support
Govee is launching its new TV Backlight 3 product, bringing cinema-grade reactive lighting with Matter support to your home theater.
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Spotify confirms disco ball app icon is temporary and regular logo will return
Spotify recently changed the app icon for its mobile app, and not everyone appreciates the celebratory disco ball logo.
Expand Expanding CloseThis magnetic headphone amp puts a DAC (and display) on the back of your iPhone
If you’re serious about wired audio, there’s now a MagSafe headphone amp and digital-to-analog convertor for iPhone.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone vibe coding app ships first update in four months after App Store review issue
All’s well that ends well in App Store review controversies. Back in March, a major agentic coding company made news when Apple reportedly pushed back on new versions of its iPhone app.
Two months later, the head of the company says they “worked things out with Apple,” and they have a big new app update to show for it.
Expand Expanding CloseMactracker app turns 25 as iPhone and iPad version sees major update with new features
Mactracker has long been a terrific Mac app for keeping track of pretty much every Apple hardware and software release ever. Exactly how long? 25 years, in fact.
To help celebrate the big anniversary, Mactracker for iPhone and iPad has a big new release out this week that includes useful new features.
Expand Expanding CloseLepro’s new backlight kit brings affordable reactive lighting to your Apple TV setup
Reactive backlighting is one of the best ways to enhance your Apple TV setup. It can also be an expensive endeavor. Lepro is stepping up with a more affordable solution: the Lepro STV1. The new product launches today.
Expand Expanding CloseOpenAI brings Codex to ChatGPT for iPhone, iPad, and Android with these features
OpenAI has released a new way to interact with its Codex app from your smartphone. An update to ChatGPT’s mobile app brings remote access to Codex for Mac to the iPhone, iPad, and Android.
Expand Expanding CloseCarPlay just gained two new audio apps to keep you entertained on your next trip
CarPlay continues to improve in two ways. iOS 26 gives the in-car experience new features like widgets and upgraded Music and Messages apps.
Meanwhile, new third-party CarPlay apps are regularly added that enhance the platform. This week, two new audio apps arrive on CarPlay in time for your next summer road trip.
Expand Expanding CloseYour iPhone might soon have zero dead zones thanks to a new carrier joint venture
The top three wireless service providers in the US are teaming up to eliminate coverage dead zones. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are forming a joint venture that will involve satellites, though the announcement is light on specifics.
Expand Expanding CloseSpotify adopting Apple’s new video podcast tech for easier cross-platform publishing
Spotify is making two video podcast announcements today, including one related to Apple’s big video podcast enhancement.
Expand Expanding CloseSiri and Apple Home can control Matic vacuum/mop, here’s how
I’ve been using a robot vacuum and mop from Matic Robots for several months now. It’s a solid product with Apple-level build quality that’s built on privacy and intelligence. While Apple Home integration wasn’t always a feature, I was pleased to see support arrive recently.
Expand Expanding CloseStrava’s iPhone app now works with Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 fitness feature
Starting today, Strava users can now log workouts and tap into the latest AirPods Pro 3 workout feature. Strava says it works as a standalone AirPods experience or alongside Apple Watch.
Expand Expanding CloseAnthropic’s latest Claude release turns your Mac into a small business powerhouse
If you run a small business from your Mac, you’ll want to pay attention to Anthropic’s latest Claude release.
Expand Expanding CloseMeta launches Instants, a new iPhone app and Instagram feature for ephemeral sharing
Meta just launched a brand new iPhone app called Instants. Built around ephemeral photo sharing, the new social media app is also the latest Instagram feature. Here’s what it does.
Expand Expanding CloseTwo AI video iPhone apps are going viral after rising from the ashes of OpenAI’s Sora
Back in March, OpenAI abruptly pulled the plug on its Sora video app. Two months later, a pair of AI video generation apps is competing for the top of the App Store.
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