XChat, X’s standalone messaging app, currently unavailable on App Store [U]
XChat, X’s standalone messaging app for iPhone and iPad, is currently unavailable on the App Store.
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Author
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
Apple releases iOS 27 with Siri AI and these new iPhone features
iOS 27 is officially here. After a summer of beta testing, the free software update has arrived for everyone. It brings Siri AI, new Apple Intelligence features, more control over Liquid Glass, and improvements throughout the system. Here’s what’s new, which iPhones support it, and how to update.
Expand Expanding CloseFantastical 4.2 adds Siri AI, bigger widgets, and a refreshed Mac design
It’s iOS 27 and macOS 27 Golden Gate launch day, and Fantastical is here for it. The new version released today includes support for Apple’s major new operating systems. This includes Siri integration, a new widget size, and some nice Liquid Glass updates.
Expand Expanding CloseThings 3.24 update arrives with OS 27 support, Siri AI integration, new widget size
Things is back with a nice new update after just a few weeks. The excellent project management app from Cultured Code is releasing support for iOS 27, macOS 27, and Apple’s other OS 27 updates coming out today. This includes Siri AI integration, a new widget size, and more.
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iOS 27 breaks 15 years of muscle memory on iPhone and iPad
Since iOS 5 in 2011, the iPhone and iPad have included Notification Center, a central place to find alerts from various apps in chronological order.
Starting with iOS 27, Apple is making a major change to how users open Notification Center on iPhone and iPad.
iOS 27 is out September 14 after a summer of beta releases. The behavior has changed slightly between the first two releases. However, several developer beta releases later show this change is shipping — even if I’d change it.
Expand Expanding CloseApple Watch Series 12 makes a big change to a small complication that I’m excited about
Apple Watch Series 12 is a major upgrade to the core health and fitness tracking wearable. That’s because of the new Health Sensing System that includes an even more capable heart rate monitor.
The new hardware doesn’t just extend to more accurate health data. There’s a big change to a small complication that I’m seeing in Apple’s marketing material. It’s just one thing I’m excited about with the new Series 12 and Ultra 4 models.
Expand Expanding CloseApple’s iPhone 18 Pro cases are already in stores, and not just for the new models
Apple’s new iPhone 18 Pro cases and other accessories are now available in Apple Stores. Pre-orders for the new phones start tomorrow ahead of the launch in one week.
Expand Expanding CloseCarPlay now works with six major AI chatbot apps, leaving one key holdout
Apple CarPlay now works with six major third-party AI chatbot apps. Microsoft Copilot is the latest iPhone app to add CarPlay support.
Expand Expanding CloseApple shares the data behind Apple Watch Series 12’s biggest health claim
Apple makes a bold claim when it comes to Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. According to Apple, the new Health Sensing System on both watches “delivers the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable.” Apple backs up this claim with a new study that shows how Series 12 heart rate sensing compares to other leading wearables, including smart rings and fitness bands.
Expand Expanding CloseApple TV Remote app has hidden features that could be coming to iOS 27
Apple is giving the Apple TV Remote app experience a lot of love in iOS 27. That’s as good a sign as any that a new Apple TV 4K box is on the way.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone Air’s $200 premium disappears when you trade it in
Following the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo announcement this week, Apple has started accepting iPhone Air and iPhone 17 trade-ins for credit. However, the iPhone Air offer is a bit of a sore spot, especially after this week’s price increases.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone Duo is no Apple Vision Pro
Look, no offense to Apple Vision Pro. I’m sure Apple Vision Pro is a very nice person. But iPhone Duo and Apple Vision Pro are not the same.
There’s a take that the iPhone Duo may have the Apple Vision Pro problem. The idea is that due to its price and device-specific software, it may be a miss and not a hit. The two things are not the same.
Expand Expanding CloseThe race to build great iPhone Duo apps is about to begin
When iPhone Duo arrives next month, many third-party apps might not work as well as Apple’s built-in apps. There’s a reason for that, at least initially, though the situation should improve over time.
Expand Expanding CloseSnap adds social event planning feature with Snapchat Plans
Snap is launching a new mobile app feature called Snapchat Plans. While it may sound like a new subscription service, Plans is actually a set of features that encourages hanging out in person.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on with Siri Modular, watchOS 27’s new Apple Watch face
watchOS 27 includes one new watch face: Siri Modular. The new face is available on both Apple Watch Series and Ultra models. However, the version on Ultra has a few more customization options. Check it out.
Expand Expanding CloseApple details how Apple Watch’s new Audio Intelligence features work in privacy paper
Apple is launching an all-new set of features called Audio Intelligence, starting with today’s new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. The company details how the new feature works, especially around privacy, in a new paper.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s how iPhone Duo treats apps not optimized for the foldable display
Apple has officially announced the iPhone Duo, its first foldable display device. Additionally, the company has detailed how third-party apps will work with the larger display. This includes three modes for apps that target iOS 26, iOS 27.0, and iOS 27.1.
Expand Expanding CloseApple releases iOS 27 RC ahead of public launch
Apple has released the first iOS 27 release candidate for testing. The update brings Apple’s next major iPhone software release one step closer to public launch, with Siri AI leading the list of changes.
Expand Expanding ClosewatchOS 27 upgrade coming to Apple Watch this month
watchOS 27 is coming this month, and now we have an official release date. Apple says we can expect the Apple Watch software update on Monday, September 14. The Apple Watch software update brings Siri AI, new ways to launch apps, and more changes to the device.
Expand Expanding CloseApple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 unveiled with upgraded health tracking system
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are official. Apple has announced its two new Apple Watch models as part of its product event today. An upgraded health tracking system is key to both models.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone 18 Pro officially announced: Here’s what’s new
iPhone 18 Pro is now official. Apple just kicked off its big event today, and the first new products include the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone Duo: Apple’s new foldable reportedly not named Ultra, plus price, colors, more
Apple is officially set to unveil its first foldable iPhone in a few hours. On the eve of the event, Mark Gurman at Bloomberg has reported some last-minute details, including a spoiler for the foldable iPhone’s actual name: iPhone Duo.
Expand Expanding CloseOpenAI releases ChatGPT Images 2.5 with ‘sharper details’ and ‘more precise editing’
In April, OpenAI released upgraded image generation technology with ChatGPT Images 2. Five months later, the company is releasing an enhanced version, ChatGPT Images 2.5.
Expand Expanding ClosetvOS 27 removes a feature that some Apple TV users might miss after updating
When tvOS 27 is released later this month, Apple TV users will gain an overhauled Podcasts app. The new version includes Apple’s new video podcast streaming technology.
However, eagle-eyed users may notice that the upcoming software update removes one feature that may be missed after updating: support for shows followed by a URL.
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