A source has exclusively revealed to us that Apple has just laid off a significant number of people dedicated to VR development, which aligns with incoming CEO John Ternus reportedly putting the category "on ice." Apple Vision Pro development will slow as Apple focuses on smart glasses Apple Vision Pro was a necessary product launched to let Apple develop visionOS in public. The category is expected to eventually result in a set of full AR glasses we've dubbed Apple Glass . According to a reliable source speaking to AppleInsider , Apple has laid off an unknown but significant number of employees tied to Apple's VR team, the Apple Vision Group, and similar positions. We've heard this tale before , and while this doesn't mean the end of Apple Vision Group, it is a sign of a cooling off for that category. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Apple today released a fifth version of the beta firmware it is testing for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 , AirPods 4 , and AirPods Max 2 . The firmware is available for developers and public beta testers. It has a build number of 9A5347a. In iOS 27 , iPadOS 27 , and macOS Golden Gate , Apple is adding a new AirPods interface, a slider for Adaptive mode, and support for custom EQ, so the firmware adds support for those features. AirPods are also compatible with the new Siri AI. When the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad , or Mac running iOS 26 , iPadOS 26 , or macOS 26 or later, there is a beta firmware option that can be accessed in the AirPods settings interface. Toggling on beta updates allows users to install the beta firmware. Firmware updates can be downloaded by connecting the AirPods to an Apple device and connecting them to power. It can take a few hours for new firmware to be installed because there is no software update option like there is for other Apple devices. Related Roundups: AirPods 4 , AirPods Pro 3 , iOS 27 , iPadOS 27 Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution) , AirPods Pro (Neutral) Related Forum: AirPods This article, " Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware With iOS 27 Features " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
Choosing between AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 was already mostly a question of fit, features, and price. Apple is also developing camera-equipped AirPods with Visual Intelligence, but they are not expected to arrive until 2027 at the soonest. That could make waiting an awfully long proposition.
In May 2025, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra , the long-awaited next-generation version of CarPlay that it first previewed in 2022. More than a year later, however, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to select Aston Martin vehicles with six-figure price tags. In a press release last year, Apple said "many" other vehicle brands around the world planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Yet, more than 15 months have passed since that announcement, and the software has still not expanded beyond Aston Martin. Apple has not provided any further updates on CarPlay Ultra availability. CarPlay Ultra features deeper integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in apps for radio and climate controls, rear-view camera feed support, and more. The connected iPhone provides app-related data, while the vehicle provides information like the current speed, fuel level, tire pressure, engine temperature, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can choose from various preset design options. Earlier this year, Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman said he was told that CarPlay Ultra would come to at least one major new Hyundai or Kia vehicle model "in the second half of this year," so hopefully the software finally expands beyond Aston Martin over the final four months of 2026. We have reached out to Apple for comment. Related Roundup: CarPlay Tag: CarPlay Ultra Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology This article, " Apple, Where is CarPlay Ultra? " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
