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Apple to Host 50th Anniversary Celebrations Around the World

2026-03-14 12:33:02

Apple today announced that it will be celebrating its upcoming 50th anniversary by hosting gatherings "around the world" throughout the month of March.


"Each gathering highlights human creativity and ingenuity in action, and showcases the remarkable things people can do when they have the right Apple products in their hands," said Apple.

17-time Grammy Award-winning music artist and producer Alicia Keys kicked off the celebrations today with a surprise performance at Apple's Grand Central store in New York. Apple invited selected content creators to the impromptu concert, which was also open to the public.


Apple's CEO Tim Cook, hardware engineering chief John Ternus, marketing chief Greg Joswiak, retail chief Deirdre O'Brien, and others were in attendance at Grand Central.

Apple's 50th anniversary is on April 1, 2026. The company has yet to reveal exactly where and when it will be hosting additional celebrations.
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10+ New Features Coming in iOS 27

2026-03-14 05:12:52

We're only three months away from Apple's WWDC 2026 event, which will see the company unveil iOS 27. With the fully revamped version of Siri possibly delayed until September, ‌iOS 27‌ is shaping up to be the update we wanted iOS 26 to be.


There will be new Apple Intelligence features, updates for the iPhone Fold, and more, with the latest rumors summarized below.

Foldable iPhone Features

Apple plans to launch the first foldable iPhone in September, a device that could possibly be called the iPhone Fold. Rumors suggest that it will feature a 5.5-inch display when folded, and a 7.8-inch display when it's opened up like a book.


An iPhone with a larger display that also folds will require some major updates to iOS, and ‌iOS 27‌ will focus on building new interfaces and experiences made for a larger display.

The iPhone Fold will operate like a cross between an iPhone and an iPad, but it will run iOS, not iPadOS, and it won't support ‌iPad‌ apps. When unfolded, the iPhone will have an iPad-like layout that supports multitasking with two apps side-by-side. Many of Apple's iPhone apps will have sidebars on the left of the display, with Apple providing developers with tools to easily adapt their apps to the new layout.

Apple is using a wider design for the iPhone Fold than most foldable smartphone makers have used, and it is rumored to have an iPad-like 4:3 aspect ratio. When the iPhone is closed, it will have a standard iPhone layout that looks like the version of iOS we have now.

Smarter Siri

We were supposed to get the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ version of ‌Siri‌ in iOS 26.4, but Apple is still having problems with development. ‌Siri‌ isn't yet operating as expected, and it's not ready to launch.

Some or all of the new ‌Siri‌ features could be pushed to ‌iOS 27‌, though there's a chance we'll get something new in iOS 26.5. It's a little unclear just what we'll get and when, because ‌iOS 27‌ is also supposed to include a chatbot version of ‌Siri‌ that will operate more like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini.

We could get an entirely revamped chatbot version of ‌Siri‌ with all of the new features all at once, or we could get the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ update and then chatbot functionality in a later ‌iOS 27‌ update.

Apple is partnering with Google and plans to use a custom AI model built in collaboration with Google's Gemini team for some of the new ‌Siri‌ features, including the ‌Siri‌ chatbot functionality that's coming.

Apple Intelligence Siri Features We're Waiting On

Apple described three specific ways that ‌Siri‌ will improve with ‌Apple Intelligence‌ integration, including personal context, the ability to see what's on the screen to know what the user is talking about, and the capability to do more in and between apps.

‌Siri‌ will understand pronouns, references to content on the screen and in apps, and it will have a short-term memory for follow-up requests.

Personal Context

With personal context, ‌Siri‌ will be able to keep track of emails, messages, files, photos, and more, learning more about you to help you complete tasks and keep track of what you've been sent.

• Show me the files Eric sent me last week.


• Find the email where Eric mentioned ice skating.


• Find the books that Eric recommended to me.


• Where's the recipe that Eric sent me?


• What's my passport number?

Onscreen Awareness

Onscreen awareness will let ‌Siri‌ see what's on your screen and complete actions involving whatever you're looking at. If someone texts you an address, you can tell ‌Siri‌ to add it to their contact card. Or if you're looking at a photo and want to send it to someone, you can ask ‌Siri‌ to do it for you.

Deeper App Integration

Deeper app integration means that ‌Siri‌ will be able to do more in and across apps, performing actions and completing tasks that are just not possible with the personal assistant right now. We don't have a full picture of what ‌Siri‌ will be capable of, but Apple has provided a few examples of what to expect.

• Moving files from one app to another.


• Editing a photo and then sending it to someone.


• Get directions home and share the ETA with Eric.


• Send the email I drafted to Eric.

Answers and Images

Back in August 2025, Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi told employees that efforts to update the architecture were promising enough that Apple would be able to implement a "much bigger upgrade" than Apple originally envisioned.

Since then, rumors suggest that Apple will add image generation capabilities to ‌Siri‌, relying on Image Playground. ‌Siri‌ is also expected to get a "World Knowledge" search feature that would provide information on general search queries using information pulled from the web. ‌Siri‌ will be able to summarize web results like ChatGPT to answer questions.

Chatbot Siri

Apple is planning to turn Siri into a full chatbot that users can interact with similarly to Claude or ChatGPT. The ‌Siri‌ chatbot will be deeply integrated into Apple's operating systems at the system level, and it won't be a standalone app experience.

Users will activate ‌Siri‌ by speaking the ‌Siri‌ wake word or pressing on the side button of the iPhone, similar to how ‌Siri‌ works now. There's no word yet on what the ‌Siri‌ chatbot interface will look like, but Apple will need to make major changes if it wants to match the functionality offered by chatbot apps. Right now, there's no way to have a back and forth typed conversation with ‌Siri‌ where the conversation history is visible, and that will need to change.

The ‌Siri‌ chatbot will be able to do everything current chatbots can do, like searching the web for information, analyzing uploaded files, and summarizing information, but since it will be integrated into the iPhone at the system level, ‌Siri‌ will also be able to ingest information from on-device data, control device features and settings, use personal data for tasks, analyze on-screen content, and more.

Siri Design Update

With ‌iOS 27‌, Apple could update Siri's design. There are no specifics about what the redesign might entail, but rumors linked to Apple's upcoming tabletop robot suggest that the company might introduce a version of ‌Siri‌ that's more animated, similar to the Mac Finder logo. That more animated version of ‌Siri‌ could also come to the iPhone and ‌iPad‌.

Core AI Framework

Apple will introduce a Core AI framework for developers that replaces the current Core ML framework. The Core AI framework will provide developers with a way to integrate AI models into their apps.

Liquid Glass

‌iOS 27‌ is likely to include refinements for the Liquid Glass design that Apple introduced with ‌iOS 26‌. There have already been some changes in the iOS 26.1 and iOS 26.2 updates, but ‌iOS 27‌ will provide Apple with the opportunity to make more bigger adjustments.

AI Calendar App

‌iOS 27‌ could include a Calendar app that incorporates AI.

AI Health Features

Apple planned a full AI-powered Health+ subscription service, but plans have been scaled back. Some components that Apple planned to implement could still be introduced in ‌iOS 27‌, though it's unclear what we'll get.

Health+ reportedly would have provided health recommendations in the Health app, delivering detailed health reports, videos that explain medical conditions, and wellness tips.

New Satellite Features

Apple is working on several new satellite features for the iPhone, and it's possible some features could be introduced as soon as 2027. Timing on Apple's satellite improvements is unclear, though, and behind-the-scenes updates from Apple's satellite partner Globalstar are required.
Rumored features:

• Apple Maps via satellite


• Photos in Messages via satellite


• Satellite API framework for third-party apps


• Satellite over 5G


• Satellite connectivity without the need for a view of the sky

Some of these features might require new hardware, but options like ‌Apple Maps‌ via satellite would not require components beyond what's available now.

Performance and Stability

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has described iOS 27 as a "Snow Leopard" update, suggesting that Apple will focus on improving underlying performance and quality.

Apple is prioritizing cleaning up the iOS code and removing anything that's outdated, which could mean upgrading apps to improve performance and rewriting some existing features to be more efficient. The code updates could provide a more responsive, faster version of iOS.

Apple is also aiming for efficiency improvements that could translate into tangible battery life gains.

Launch Date

New versions of iOS, macOS, and Apple's other software platforms will be previewed in June at WWDC before launching in September just ahead of when new iPhone models come out.
This article, "10+ New Features Coming in iOS 27" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Kicks Off 50th Anniversary With Surprise Alicia Keys Concert in New York

2026-03-14 03:25:22

Apple mysteriously shut down its Grand Central Terminal store in New York City today, and it turns out it was for an impromptu Alicia Keys concert to celebrate Apple's upcoming 50th anniversary.


Apple quietly invited select YouTubers and members of the media (including MacRumors) to the store location, but kept the performer secret until Alicia Keys took the stage. Preparations for the concert started yesterday, with Apple setting up a stage, audio equipment, and lights, complete with Keys' signature pink piano.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, marketing chief Greg Joswiak, retail head Deirdre O'Brien, and hardware engineering boss John Ternus were at the Grand Central Terminal location for the concert. Members of the public that are in the area are also able to watch the performance.


Alicia Keys has a history with Apple, and has performed at Apple events several times in the past. In September 2016, she was at the Apple Music Festival 10 in London, and she sang at the NYC Holiday Masquerade Ball in December 2022 as part of Apple's live concert series. Keys also was one of the first artists to have an immersive video experience on Apple Vision Pro with the 3D Alicia Keys: Rehearsal Room experience.


Earlier this week, Cook said that Apple planned to celebrate Apple's 50th anniversary over the coming weeks, recognizing the "creativity, innovation, and impact that people around the world have made possible with Apple technology."

It appears that the private concert is the first of Apple's celebrations that are set to take place over the next two and a half weeks. Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, so the company's actual 50th anniversary is on April 1, 2026.
This article, "Apple Kicks Off 50th Anniversary With Surprise Alicia Keys Concert in New York" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Top Stories: Apple's 50th Anniversary, New and Upcoming Products, and More

2026-03-14 02:31:15

After Apple's big week of announcements, this week saw all of the new products officially become available, so reviewers and general users alike are now getting their hands on them and putting them through their paces.


Apple also started ramping up plans for celebrating the company's 50th anniversary coming up on April 1, with Tim Cook sharing a letter addressing the milestone and the company even hosting a brief musical appearance by Alicia Keys at its Grand Central Terminal store in New York City, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!

Top Stories

Apple Announces 50th Anniversary Plans

Apple this week announced that it plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary, which is on April 1. Ahead of the big date, Apple CEO Tim Cook shared a "50 Years of Thinking Different" letter.


"While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the people and communities who have thought different with us, and to honor the enduring values that continue to guide our work," said Apple, in a press release.

Apple has also launched a new "Hello Apple" account on Instagram where it will share company news, stories, product marketing, and more, while journalist David Pogue has just released a new book chronicling the history of Apple over its first 50 years. And on Friday, Apple hosted a surprise musical appearance by Alicia Keys at its Grand Central Terminal store as part of the anniversary celebration.

Apple Released Seven New Products This Week

As of Wednesday, the seven new Apple products that were announced last week became available at Apple Stores and started arriving to customers.


The colorful MacBook Neo and all of the other new products are on display at most Apple Store locations around the world. Apple Stores have inventory of the new products for both walk-in customers and Apple Store pickup, but availability varies, so make sure to see if your local store has stock via Apple's online store.

Apple Could Launch Three New 'Ultra' Devices This Year

Apple is planning to launch at least three new "Ultra"-class devices this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


While it is unclear whether the new products will carry the "Ultra" name, Apple is planning to launch at least three such devices this year: Apple's first foldable iPhone with an expected price tag of at least $2,000, higher-end AirPods Pro equipped with infrared cameras, and a premium MacBook Pro with touchscreen OLED display that may sit above the current MacBook Pro models in the lineup.

Everything New in iOS 26.4 Beta 4

Apple is continuing to test the iOS 26.4 beta, and the latest update became available for developers and public beta testers earlier this week.


As testing goes on, there are fewer new features in each beta, but this week’s release adds new emoji characters and support for the new iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air, and makes a few other changes.

Apple 'HomePad' to Offer Magnetic Snap-to-Wall Feature and More

Apple's upcoming "HomePad" will offer a magnetic snap-to-wall feature and more, according to the leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami."


In a post on X this week, Kosutami said that one of the HomePad prototypes features a MagSafe-like snap-to-wall capability, along with doorbell integration. It is said to be heavily reliant on Apple Intelligence.

With Apple's ongoing delays for the enhanced Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, it appears the HomePad may not launch until this fall. Updated Apple TV and HomePod models may also be waiting for the upgraded Siri.

iPhone Fold to Feature iPad-Style Multitasking and Layouts

While Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone will run iOS and not iPadOS, it will function as more of a hybrid device, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


The iPhone Fold will reportedly be able to run two iPhone apps side by side on the large internal display, which will be roughly the size of an iPad mini display. Apple is also revamping its apps to support sidebars for this mode, and third-party developers will be able to adapt their apps to use them as well. The iPhone Fold will, however, lack the more extensive multitasking capabilities of iPadOS and will not be able to directly run iPad-optimized apps.

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!
This article, "Top Stories: Apple's 50th Anniversary, New and Upcoming Products, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iFixit Teardown: MacBook Neo Has Most Accessible Mac Battery in Over a Decade

2026-03-14 01:58:55

Repair site iFixit did its traditional teardown on the MacBook Neo, and was pleasantly surprised with the laptop's repairability. "We haven't been as happy about a MacBook since 2012," says iFixit.

iFixit took apart the more expensive $699 version of the ‌MacBook Neo‌ that comes with a Touch ID keyboard, but both models are "suspiciously easy" to get into. The lower case is still held together with pentalobe screws, which are less common than standard screws and require a special screwdriver. The cover can be unclipped by hand, and inside, there's a "shockingly sensible" internal layout.

The battery, speakers, ports, and trackpad are easy to get to and not buried under another component like most Apple laptops. Rather than being attached with adhesive, the battery is screwed in, so it's simple to remove it for repair or replacement. There are 18 screws to undo, but iFixit says the lack of battery adhesive is the biggest ‌MacBook Neo‌ repair win.

iFixit believes Apple is preparing for an upcoming EU law that will require many portable devices to have user replaceable batteries by early 2027. Because of the regulation, we could see similar setups for batteries in future MacBook Air and Pro models.


There are a lot of cables to unplug to get to other components like the logic board, but it's all "pretty accessible" and not buried "just for the sake of being buried." RAM and storage are soldered to the A18 Pro chip, which is expected, but not a repairability win because it diminishes repairability and upgradeability. RAM and the SSD cannot be upgraded after purchase.

The USB-C ports are their own module instead of connected to the logic board, so damaged ports are able to be replaced without logic board repairs, and the same goes for the headphone jack. Antenna assembly removal is straightforward, which iFixit says will make screen replacements "significantly easier." With the antenna removed and the hinge screws off, the display "pops away as if it were a Framework laptop."

Apple used side-firing speakers in the ‌MacBook Neo‌, which is a simplified setup with less chassis machining that probably let it save money, and a mechanical trackpad. It's the first MacBook to have a mechanical trackpad since 2015 because the mechanical setup is cheaper to produce. The keyboard was the last piece to come out in iFixit's teardown, and it was held in with 41 screws. It is possible to remove the keyboard separately from the top case by undoing all of those screws, which makes for more affordable repairs.

iFixit said that while the ‌MacBook Neo‌ isn't perfect because of the soldered storage and RAM, there's a "lot to like." It has the most accessible battery in a Mac since 2012, a display that's easy to swap out, and modular components like the USB-C ports and headphone jack. iFixit gave the ‌MacBook Neo‌ a repairability score of 6 out of 10. For comparison, the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro earned a 4/10 and the M4 ‌MacBook Air‌ got a 5/10.
This article, "iFixit Teardown: MacBook Neo Has Most Accessible Mac Battery in Over a Decade" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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MacRumors Giveaway: Win an iPhone 17 Pro and 25W Qi Charger From Lululook

2026-03-14 01:40:48

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Lululook to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an iPhone 17 Pro and a 25W Qi2.2 3-in-1 Charger from Lululook to go along with it.


Priced at $79, Lululook's 3-in-1 Charging Station is able to charge an iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch at the same time. It features Qi 2.2 support and certification, so it is able to charge the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 models at up to 25W, the same as Apple's latest MagSafe specification. With 25W Qi charging, an ‌iPhone 17‌ can wirelessly charge to 50 percent battery in 30 minutes.


The stand can be used in either portrait or landscape mode, with the iPhone charging platform located at the top, plus the viewing angle can be adjusted thanks to several included hinges. The Apple Watch charger folds out from the middle, and the AirPods charge at the bottom. The whole 3-in-1 charger collapses down into a square puck when not in use, making it ideal for travel. The charger weighs just 6.2 ounces and it's less than an inch thick when folded up.


Lululook made the stand out of aluminum that matches Apple's ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models, and it comes in orange, desert gold, or titanium. The orange shade is the same color as the orange ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max. The aluminum resists fingerprints and smudges, and there are soft silicone pads on the bottom and the charging area to keep the charger stable and devices scratch free.

In addition to charging an iPhone at 25W, the charger provides 5W for the Apple Watch and 5W for the AirPods. The 3-in-1 Charging Station is powered via USB-C, and Lululook includes a 45W power adapter and a 3.28-foot USB cable. There's also a portable organizer to hold the cables and the charger during travel.


We have a Lululook 3-in-1 Charging Station and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

The contest will run from today (March 13) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on March 20. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after March 20 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
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