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For the first time in a long time, I can say that iPhone cases are fun again! The introduction of the iPhone Duo has brought us a new era of cases in all shapes, sizes, functions, and form factors. We are still in the infancy of this new ecosystem of iPhone Duo-compatible cases, so manufacturers are experimenting with different designs, materials, and features to figure out what works best for Apple’s first foldable. From ultra-thin cases and hinge protection to built-in wallets, kickstands, and origami-style folios. I have tested several new iPhone Duo cases, and these have been my favorite so far. more…
Apple is still rocking and rolling a week into November, with five new products having launched this week and two more still on tap for next week. Things are also moving forward on the software side with Apple releasing the first betas of iOS 27.3 and related updates, bringing a number of tweaks and new features. We're also looking ahead to new products coming in the first half of 2027, so read on below for all of the details on these stories and more! Top Stories Apple Launched Five New Products This Week Apple released five new products on Friday, November 6, following pre-orders that opened last week, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro models . The following new products are now available: iPad mini with OLED display and A20 Pro chip iMac with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen 16-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen Apple's HomeView smart home hub and updated Apple TV 4K box will follow next week on Friday, November 13 . Everything New in the iOS 27.3 Beta Apple this week started testing iOS 27.3 , the biggest update to iOS 27 since it launched in September. iOS 27.3 includes some features Apple showed off earlier this year, and it adds all-new capabilities. Among the changes in the update are Safari tweaks with a new Vertical Tabs layout option plus an Adaptive Dark Mode feature for websites that don't offer their own dark mode option, Siri AI improvements, an expansion of new iPhone Duo StandBy features to other iPhone models, and more. The revamped Health app that was in the 27.2 beta for testing but removed prior to the public release has returned in 27.3 and will be seeing a public launch before the end of the year. Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue In a memo shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers last week, and later obtained by MacRumors , Apple provided technicians with guidance on how to diagnose and address the iPhone Duo's inner display cracking issue . If a customer reports the issue, Apple advised technicians to inspect the iPhone Duo and repair or replace it in accordance with their standard procedures. While the instructions themselves are straightforward, the fact that Apple issued an internal memo suggests the issue is widespread enough to warrant official guidance. Meanwhile, Apple CEO John Ternus this week said Apple is not able to predict when it will be able to meet demand for the foldable iPhone, with Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman saying that Apple's change from its original plan to launch the device in November in just two countries has contributed to the difficulties in meeting demand. Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027 The revamped iPad mini launching this week is one piece of Apple's tablet lineup, and Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman says the rest of the lineup should be receiving updates in the first half of next year . The iPad Air will reportedly be getting an upgrade to OLED displays, while iPad Pro and base iPad updates should be more modest. Before those 2027 updates, there's still some time left in 2026, and while we're not expecting any more major product announcements before the end of the year, plenty of previously announced hardware and software updates are still on their way . Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software App developer Steve Troughton-Smith over the weekend shared a tour of the software on Apple's upcoming HomeView smart home hub . Apple has already demoed the HomeView to selected tech reporters and content creators, but Troughton-Smith offered a closer look at several features, interfaces, and apps. CarPlay-enabled audio and video apps from third-party developers will also be supported on HomeView, and Troughton-Smith shared a look at what Spotify will look like on the HomeView as well. We've known for quite some time that HomeView was ready to be released for quite some time while Apple waited for Siri AI to be launched as the primary interaction mechanism for it. That certainly appears to be the case as it seems the units will initially ship with six-month-old software version 26.5 and will have to be updated to HomeView software version 27.2 during setup. Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge' The Wall Street Journal 's Rolfe Winkler last week reported that flash storage suppliers once "bullied" by Apple have been "getting their revenge" on the company over the past year due to a severe memory chip shortage, which stems from AI companies building out massive data centers that utilize significant amounts of flash storage and RAM. As the iPhone took off, Apple became the world's largest buyer of flash storage, and naturally that gave the company a lot of leverage in negotiations. The report goes into detail about some of the hardball tactics that were employed by Apple and its former head of procurement, Tony Blevins. Flash suppliers now have the upper hand, however, and high demand for their chips has resulted in shortages that are expected to persist through 2030 with high prices continuing as a result. MacRumors Newsletter Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view. So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter ! Tag: Top Stories This article, " Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
AI has been used to find out how to access motion tracking data from AirPods , enabling one Linux user to use head tracking data to produce a software mouse. AirPods 3 AirPods and AirPods Pro have head tracking capabilities thanks to some built-in motion-detecting sensors. While it is currently used for things like Spatial Audio and Siri Interactions , one enterprising user has taken steps to widen their use on Linux. Apple does allow AirPods and other earphones to work on Linux and other platforms by functioning as standard Bluetooth headphones. They can be used for normal listening, but things like head tracking are not available once you leave Apple's ecosystem. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
When the iPhone Duo launched, we shared a list of some of the fun apps developers created for the new form factor. Two weeks out, developers are continuing to come up with fresh ideas, so we thought we'd share some of our favorites. Games Marbles Unhinged ($2.99) - Marbles Unhinged is a marble maze designed for the Duo. When you fold it, the floor turns into a ramp. If you stand the top half up, you can bank a marble off of it. When you snap the hinge, the marble launches up. Midnight Fridge ($2.99) - Midnight Fridge turns the ‌iPhone Duo‌ into a tiny refrigerator. It's a memory game where the idea is to look at the magnets on the fridge and then find the items inside. Greens: Mini Golf ($2.99) - Greens is a mini-golf app made for the ‌iPhone Duo‌, and it's playable in any orientation. When folded like a laptop, you can putt on the half on the table, with the upright half serving as a caddie camera. Chirpfold (Free) - Chirpfold is a Flappy Bird-style app where you fold the phone to cause your bird to flap its wings. Valley Run ($0.99) - Valley Run is a neon-themed racing game where you fold the ‌iPhone Duo‌ to direct a marble down a series of challenging tracks. PianoFold ($4.99) - PianoFold is a rhythm game you can play with the ‌iPhone Duo‌ positioned like a laptop. Press and hold on the keys to match the song that's playing. It's free to download, but the full unlock is $4.99. Load Bearing ($5.00) - Load Bearing is a roguelite Tetris-style game that's meant to be played with the Duo half open. The controls are on the bottom, and the blocks fall at the top. It also has deck building elements, so you can put together a set of your preferred block pieces to beat each level. Who's at the Door? (Free) - Who's at the Door? is an app that turns your ‌iPhone Duo‌ into a door. Open it up to see who is on the other side, and if it's something scary, make sure to slam the Duo shut quickly before it gets you. Fold Match ($2.99) - Fold Match is a game where you're given a shape on one side of the Duo and a blank spot where the shape needs to go on the other side. The idea is to position the shape to get to that empty space, but you won't know how close you were until you close the iPhone. Battlefleet Duo (Free) - Battlefleet Duo takes advantage of the Duo's design for a Battleship-style game. In laptop mode, you can see your fleet on the lower screen and the enemy's waters in front of you. Simple But Clever Duo Aquarium ($1.00) - As the name suggests, this app turns your ‌iPhone Duo‌ into an aquarium. When in tent mode, it serves as a virtual fish tank and clock. You can choose your fish and your add-ins, then feed them. AltoPaint ($5.99) - AltoPaint is an app that turns the ‌iPhone Duo‌ into a tiny canvas with a paint palette. There are watercolor, oil, and gouache paints with mixable colors. Post Club ($4.99) - Post Club is a cute app where you can pick a typewriter, fold the Duo like a laptop and type up a letter. There are 10 typewriters and 14 paper styles to choose from. Halfpage ($2.99) - Halfpage is another app that turns the ‌iPhone Duo‌ into a typewriter when it's used in a MacBook-like orientation. The keys are at the bottom, and what you type is at the top. It has a simpler design than Post Club. Callsign ($1.49+) - Callsign turns your ‌iPhone Duo‌ into a sign that lets people know if you're free or busy on a call. Just set it up, put it in tent mode, and people can know at a glance not to bother you. It's free to download, and there are different visual packs to unlock with one-off $1.49 purchases. AskZine ($1.99) - AskZine is a Magic 8 Ball-like app where you ask a question, unfold the screen, and see your answer. Lullabox (Free) - Lullabox turns the ‌iPhone Duo‌ into a music box where you can wind the key, lift the lid, and watch a porcelain ballerina spin while soft music plays. The music gets louder as the ‌iPhone Duo‌ is opened further. DuoBook (Free) - DuoBook turns the ‌iPhone Duo‌ into a tiny Mac with a keyboard and trackpad that work like the Mac equivalent. You can also use it to send photos and files to the Mac. Special Duo Features Wakeout ($59.99/year) - Fitness app Wakeout was Apple's App of the Year back in 2020. It offers up workout games you can do in just minutes a day. You can put your Duo in tent or laptop mode to follow along with workout moves, playing games with your body. Faro (Free) - Faro is an app that helps you find movies to watch so you don't waste time browsing through Netflix without ever making a choice. On ‌iPhone Duo‌, you can see two films side by side to choose between them, or see your list of picks on one half of the display with details on each movie on the other half. CalibReader (Free) - CalibReader is an EPUB and PDF reader that turns the ‌iPhone Duo‌ into a book. The outer screen shows the title's cover, and when you open it, there's a two-page spread with page-turning animations. Retrocade ( Apple Arcade ) - Retrocade turns the ‌iPhone Duo‌ into a mini arcade machine and works on the Duo in multiple fold positions. Blankie (Free) - Soundscape app Blankie has a dual view with Now Playing on one side and Sound Mixer on the other. When folded in tent mode, it shows a view of what's playing. Camera Apps IncrediBooth (Free) - IncrediBooth turns the ‌iPhone Duo‌ into a little photo booth. Press the red button to capture an image, and your photo strip appears on the outer display. It's free to download, with five strips available per day. VNTG (Free) - VNTG is an instant camera app where you close the ‌iPhone Duo‌ to take a shot and then open it up to develop it. It's free to download, with in-app purchases to unlock camera lenses. Flipcorder ($4.99) - Flipcorder is a video recording app that turns the ‌iPhone Duo‌ into a retro camcorder. It's designed to be used for daily video diaries, and each tape is displayed on a shelf in the app. To film, just unfold the Duo. Recordings have classic VHS-style effects. Less Fun, More Serious Brim ($0.89) - Brim is a Safari extension that lets Safari use the full width of the ‌iPhone Duo‌'s outer display for websites. It reclaims the blank space Apple left in Safari and moves links and buttons out from under the side controls. Widen ($3.99) - Widen is another extension that expands Safari to take up the width of the outer display. It also hides cookie banners and works in Split View. There are multiple settings, so you can set just pictures to take up the full screen, or opt to have pictures and text expand. SPAN (Free) - SPAN is an app that turns the ‌iPhone Duo‌ into a project tracker and timer. It has different views for each ‌iPhone Duo‌ orientation. SPAN is free to use for the current week, with a $4.99/month pro subscription available for unlimited projects and full monthly and yearly reports. BrainDrain (Free) - BrainDrain is a 60-second brain dump app that helps you sort your thoughts. On the ‌iPhone Duo‌, different Duo orientations have different purposes. You can use it like a laptop in a half fold, type thoughts with the Duo closed, or put it in tent mode to use voice capture. More Apps Know of some fun ‌iPhone Duo‌ apps not on our list? Let us know in the comments. Be sure to check out our first iPhone Duo app article too. Related Roundup: iPhone Duo Buyer's Guide: iPhone Duo (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPhone This article, " More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
