Two years ago, Sonos made the leap from wireless speakers to over-ear headphones. Now it sounds like Sonos is preparing a more premium, AI-infused encore.
Expand Expanding CloseSonos is planning Ace Ultra headphones with a big AI push, report says
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 Arcade adding ‘two beloved puzzlers’ to ad-free platform in September
After a major Madden NFL 27 release in August, Apple Arcade is adding “two beloved puzzlers” to the ad-free platform in September.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s what’s new with iOS 27 beta 5
Apple released iOS 27 beta 5 today, giving developer beta testers the next preview update since iOS 27 debuted at WWDC. Developers can download the new beta now.
iOS 27 is a major iPhone update centered around Siri AI, Apple Intelligence, Liquid Glass refinements, and a long list of quality-of-life changes. Here’s what we’ve found so far in iOS 27 beta 5.
Expand Expanding CloseiOS 27 beta 5 now available as Apple tests major Siri AI upgrade
Apple has released the fifth iOS 27 beta for developer testing. iOS 27 beta 5 continues Apple’s summer beta cycle ahead of a public release next month. We’ll update our devices and share what we discover.
Expand Expanding CloseMeta just released a brand-new Facebook Creator Studio app for iPhone
Meta is on a roll with new iPhone app releases this summer. The latest is called Facebook Creator Studio.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone 17 set to break a record no flagship has touched in 15 years
When Apple released the iPhone 17 last September, the timer started for the new flagship model breaking a record set 15 years ago. The record takes more than a year to break, but based on current rumors, the iPhone 17 will be the first to steal the crown.
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CarPlay connection issues? This might explain why
If your Apple CarPlay connection randomly drops out while driving, the cause might not be your iPhone, cable, or car.
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X Money FAQ: Account suspensions, 6% APY, physical cards, and more
Following X Money’s launch last month, one question has repeatedly surfaced: What happens to your money if X suspends or closes your social media account?
Expand Expanding CloseApple TV’s surprise hit series is making the jump to theaters for one night only
While Apple TV has found success at the box office, Apple usually reserves theaters for its movies, not its series. However, one hit show from Apple this year is coming to the cinema for one night only in select venues across the country: Widow’s Bay.
Expand Expanding CloseOpenAI updating ChatGPT with a smarter GPT-5.6 Sol and unlimited free chats
ChatGPT has become so much more than just chat over the last year. To that end, OpenAI is removing limits on text chat. ChatGPT will also improve with a smarter version of GPT-5.6 Sol. Details below.
Expand Expanding CloseGPT-5 turning one as OpenAI shares new Agent Plugins standard
OpenAI’s GPT-5 turns one tomorrow, and the company is marking the week by looking beyond individual models. Today, OpenAI introduced Agent Plugins, an open standard meant to let reusable AI-agent extensions work across compatible products.
Expand Expanding CloseLutron Caseta expands hands-free smart home controls through Sonos
Lutron is expanding its existing Caseta integration with Sonos, adding the ability to control smart-home devices using Sonos Voice Control.
Expand Expanding CloseApple prepares for iPhone 18 Pro and Ultra launch by expanding its reach
Apple is gearing up for a more focused and potentially much more expensive iPhone launch this fall.
For starters, the cheaper base iPhone 18 is being saved for spring. That leaves the more expensive Pro models and Apple’s first foldable iPhone Ultra to carry September, with higher-than-usual starting prices expected.
Here’s how Apple is already preparing to make the sticker shock more palatable for new customers and upgraders.
Expand Expanding CloseApple Arcade just added all-new Madden NFL 27, the ultimate football game
Apple Arcade just scored a major hit game today. The subscription game service has added Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition, including on the Mac and Apple TV. The new game arrives just before the new NFL pre-season kicks off.
Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is designed just for Apple Arcade. Apple Arcade games have no ads and no in-app purchases.
Expand Expanding CloseMeta launches Muse Code AI coding agent for macOS and Linux
Meta is entering the AI coding-agent race with Muse Code, a new terminal-based tool now available in beta for macOS and Linux.
Expand Expanding CloseMacPaw is building an on-device AI layer that will work across your Mac apps
MacPaw has announced a long-term strategic partnership with Liquid AI to co-develop an on-device AI technology stack built specifically for the Mac.
The collaboration will start with Eney, MacPaw’s AI assistant for macOS.
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Apple Watch ‘National Fitness Day’ challenge returns this weekend
Apple Watch users in China can participate in the next National Fitness Day challenge this weekend to unlock virtual rewards.
Expand Expanding CloseSignal’s latest iOS update expands multi-device feature for iPhone users
Juggling multiple devices with Signal? The encrypted messaging service is making it easier to use the app across different iPhones and more.
Expand Expanding CloseSpotify reaches huge subscriber milestone as Apple Music readies iOS 27 upgrades
Spotify has crossed 300 million paying subscribers, a major new milestone for the audio subscription service as it competes with Apple Music.
Expand Expanding CloseOpenAI explains what will happen when ChatGPT Atlas shuts down this weekend
It’s the end of a very short road for ChatGPT Atlas, OpenAI’s dedicated web browser for Mac. OpenAI has shared details about what happens when ChatGPT Atlas shuts down this weekend.
Expand Expanding CloseOpenAI rebuts Apple trade secrets allegations in new response with receipts
Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI last month, accusing the firm behind ChatGPT of stealing trade secrets related to hardware development. Nearly a month later, OpenAI has published a detailed response to many of Apple’s claims in the form of a blog post.
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Wikipedia for iOS just added a fun, new app widget for your Home Screen
If you’re anything like me, you can relate to spending way too much time going down the rabbit hole of random articles on Wikipedia. Now there’s officially an app, err, widget for that.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Health adds two-way Apple Health syncing on iPhone for Fitbit
Back in May, the Google Health app launched alongside the new line of affordable Google Fitbit Air health trackers.
Google Health initially included one-way Apple Health integration. The app could read and import health data recorded by an iPhone, Apple Watch, and other HealthKit-connected apps, but it couldn’t write Fitbit data back to Apple Health.
Today’s Google Health iOS app update adds the missing half of that connection.
Expand Expanding CloseApple launches second legal challenge to UK iCloud backdoor order, per report
Apple’s effort to fight back against a UK-mandated “backdoor” to encryption continues, according to a new Financial Times report.
Tim Bradshaw reports that Apple filed a new legal challenge in July against an attempt by the UK government to force access to encrypted user data.
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