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Apple released iOS 26.5 after a few months of beta testing, and while it doesn't have the Siri features we were hoping for since those are being held until iOS 27 , there are a handful of useful changes worth knowing about. End-to-End Encryption for RCS Support for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android devices is included in iOS 26.5, which means texts you send your Android friends can now have the same security as iMessages exchanged with another iPhone user. Encrypted ‌RCS‌ messages are available on supported carriers and will roll out over time, and for conversations to be encrypted, both the receiver and the sender must use a carrier that supports the latest version of ‌RCS‌. End-to-end encryption is on by default, and there is a toggle for it in the Messages section of the Settings app. Encrypted messages are denoted with a small lock symbol. Wallpaper iOS 26.5 includes a colorful new Pride Luminance wallpaper that can be customized with multiple color options. Maps App The Maps app includes a new Suggested Places feature that recommends places to visit based on your recent searches and what's trending nearby. iOS 26.5 also laid the groundwork for ads in the Maps app, but ads are not live yet. EU Changes for Third-Party Wearables To comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, Apple is letting third-party wearables access some features that have historically been limited to the Apple Watch and AirPods. Here's what's new: Proximity pairing - Third-party earbuds are able to use proximity pairing to connect to an iPhone, similar to the AirPods. Bringing a set of earbuds that support the feature near an iPhone will initiate an AirPods-like one-tap pairing process, so third-party wearables like earbuds will no longer require multiple steps to pair. iPhone notifications - Third-party accessories like smartwatches are able to receive notifications from the iPhone, and users are able to view and react to them. Interactive notifications from the iPhone have been limited to the Apple Watch, while third-party wearables have only been able to display read-only notifications. Notifications can only be forwarded to a single connected device at a time, so turning on notifications for a third-party wearable disables notifications on Apple Watch. Live Activities - Live Activities from the iPhone can be displayed on a third-party wearable, similar to how Live Activities are shown on an Apple Watch. Accessory makers will need to add support for the interoperability updates, so they may not be available right away. Third-party TVs, smartwatches, and headphones will be able to use the features. Expanded support for third-party wearables is limited to iPhone users located in the European Union with an Apple account set to an EU country or region. iPhone to Android Transfer When switching from an iPhone to an Android device, there is a new setting for selecting which message attachments to transfer over. There are options for All, 1 year, or 30 days. Apple Books There are mentions of new awards in the Apple Books app, which are likely for year-end wrap-ups. Keyboard Layout iOS 26.5 has an Inuktitut keyboard layout option. Security Fixes iOS 26.5 addresses more than 50 vulnerabilities , so it's a good idea to update as soon as possible to get the latest protections. None of the vulnerabilities are known to have been actively exploited. Related Roundups: iOS 26 , iPadOS 26 Related Forum: iOS 26 This article, " iOS 26.5 Features: Everything New in iOS 26.5 " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
The Google Maps app for CarPlay could soon include support for Gemini, based on code that MacRumors found in the Google Maps app. Gemini integration would allow ‌CarPlay‌ users to get detailed directions and information from Gemini. Strings in the app suggest users will be able to tell Gemini to navigate to a specific location after agreeing to new Terms of Service in the iPhone version of the Google Maps app. The Google Maps app already supports Gemini on iPhone, but Gemini is not available for use in Google Maps on ‌CarPlay‌. Gemini in Google Maps adds an "Ask Maps" feature that can answer complex, real-world questions about locations and destinations. On the iPhone, users can navigate to a location and then say Hey Google or tap the Gemini icon to converse with Gemini in the Google Maps app. Apple started allowing third-party voice-based conversational apps to interface with ‌CarPlay‌ in iOS 26.4, which is likely why Google is now able to add Gemini to the Google Maps app for ‌CarPlay‌. Gemini integration is not yet live in the Google Maps ‌CarPlay‌ app, but since the framework is in the app, it could be rolling out soon. ChatGPT , Grok, and Perplexity are already available on ‌CarPlay‌. Related Roundup: CarPlay Tag: Google Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology This article, " Google Maps for CarPlay Getting Gemini AI " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
Apple's interest in AI models and their applications in spatial computing shows no signs of slowing down, even as some claim the Apple Vision Pro is dead. Apple hasn't abandoned spatial computing, judging by its research studies. In April 2026 , it was argued that the Apple Vision Pro was an outright failure and that, as a result, we'd never see a successor product. That rumor, though it always seemed unreasonable, has since come into question . Even though the company's Vision Products Group may have seen some changes, there's ultimately still hope for a new generation of the Apple Vision Pro. Apple's AI research suggests the company hasn't abandoned its spatial-related projects. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Apple purchased a small, one-person company called Patchflyer back in January, according to new acquisition disclosures provided by the European Union. Patchflyer was owned by Jonathan Ochmann, who created Color.io, a web-based color grading tool popular with photographers and filmmakers. Apple purchased Color.io and is employing Ochmann. Last year, Ochmann announced Color.io's impending closure in November, and said that he was joining a company that will let him work at a scale he could not reach on his own. "After 10+ years of running everything alone, I've reached a point where I need to grow in ways that aren't possible as a solo builder," he wrote. Color.io was known for an easy-to-use but powerful tool for adding film-like color and texture to images. It used a custom color engine and custom color models, and it had a rich library of tools for manipulating color. Ochmann also designed the popular VisionColor LUTs prior to creating Color.io. Color.io went offline on December 31, 2025, with about five weeks of warning for the app's 200,000+ users. Now that Ochmann is employed at Apple, Color.io capabilities could come to Apple software in the future. Ochmann's expertise and Color.io's features would be useful for Final Cut Pro or Pixelmator Pro. Apple also acquired PromptAI during the same timeframe, according to the EU filing, but the PromptAI purchase was already known . PromptAI was a startup focusing on computer vision, and it had an app called Seemour. The app augmented home security cameras and detected people, pets, animals, and other objects. Tag: Apple Acquisition This article, " Apple Bought Color Grading Tool Color.io in January " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
