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There’s less than a week to go until WWDC, the annual developer fest where Apple takes the wraps off its latest OS releases. While the rumor mill has mostly focused on iPhone this year, there’s plenty for Apple Watch fans to look forward to.

Rumor has it that the next big watch update — possibly dubbed “watchOS 26,” in line with Apple’s rumored naming convention shakeup — will get a fresh new user interface, Apple Intelligence, conversation transcriptions and a smart AI coach that delivers tailored health and fitness advice.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and take a closer look at what’s in store for Apple Watch.

WWDC25 is nearly here, with iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 possibly set to steal the spotlight. However, the latest rumors indicate you shouldn’t count macOS 16 out just yet, as it might bring more upgrades than expected. It might not even be called macOS 16, if Apple’s rumored switch to year-based release names happens. (We’ll refer to it as macOS 16 until the big switch happens.)

With June 9 fast approaching, here’s a breakdown of what macOS 16 could bring to the table.

Apple’s Freeform app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro is a digital whiteboard you can use to brainstorm or gather ideas in one infinitely scrolling canvas.

You can use Freeform to throw together ideas with a colleague. You could build a presentation using Freeform’s scenes, kind of like using Prezi. Or, you can use Freeform as a drawing app with your iPad and Apple Pencil.

Freeform comes with all kinds of features for adding text boxes, rich links, drawings, clip art, sticky notes, files, photos, videos and more. It’s a great way to build a mood board or connect big ideas.

Keep reading below or watch our video guide to find out how to use Freeform.

Danny Boyle will soon bring the infected back to the big screen in ways that would make any iPhone cinematographer jealous. The acclaimed director behind the original 28 Days Later returns for the long-awaited sequel 28 Years Later. And he uses cutting-edge iPhone technology alongside traditional filmmaking techniques to create what he calls a “poor man’s bullet time” effect (a la The Matrix movies), according to a new report.

Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed series Severance will expand beyond its upcoming third season, possibly including two spinoffs and merchandise, according to recent revelations from director Ben Stiller and star Adam Scott in a new interview. That news alongside Severance season 3 progress should delight fans of the dystopian workplace drama as much as any “overtime contingency” could.

Apple’s App Store ecosystem reached a milestone in 2024, facilitating $406 billion in developer billings and sales in the United States alone, according to a new study Apple commissioned. And over the past 5 years, App Store sales growth means U.S. developers’ earnings more than doubled, the iPhone giant said.

“For more than 15 years, the App Store has created incredible opportunity for app developers, entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a press release Thursday. “That includes the many U.S. developers who are innovating, building their businesses and finding exceptional success on the App Store.

“We’ll continue to invest in powerful tools, technology, and resources to help developers in the U.S. and around the world take their apps to new heights and create transformative experiences for users,” he added.

Apple might make a major change to the naming convention for all its operating systems this year, switching all OS version numbers to years, according to a new report. The switch, which Apple reportedly will roll out at WWDC25 on June 9, would bring consistency across all its operating systems for the first time.

Powerful new Logic Pro updates for Mac and iPad will transform how musicians create beats and produce electronic music, Apple said Wednesday. The updates bring enhanced audio processing capabilities, innovative recording recovery features and fresh sound libraries.

Loud and proud in the update mix are the improved AI-driven Stem Splitter, which can make multiple audio tracks from one recording, and the new Flashback Capture, for those times you make great sounds but forget to hit “record.”

Anyone who’s used a Mac for years understands the value of Spotlight search, as it can quickly help you search through your Mac, email, apps, and system settings. But if you want to take things to the next level, check out Raycast — a powerful Spotlight alternative that goes beyond simple search.

From setting reminders and tracking flights to running Terminal commands and finding files, Raycast is built for speed and efficiency. It really is a Swiss Army knife for your Mac. Here’s how I use it to supercharge my productivity on the Mac.

The Zagg 6-port Media Hub includes a flip-up iPad stand, an HDMI port, a USB-A port and more, with the standout feature being an easily accessible set of media controls. And all this fits into the same space on your desktop as a more conventional tablet stand.

I used the iPad hub/stand in my home for weeks, and it does its job well. That said, a design quirk might limit its appeal.

Apple revealed its App Store prevented more than $2 billion in fraudulent transactions in 2024 alone, contributing to over $9 billion in blocked fraudulent activity across the past five years. But as the App Store blocks fraud, the figures highlight the tech giant’s ongoing battle against increasingly sophisticated bad actors attempting to exploit users and developers on its platform.

The massive fraud prevention effort protects the App Store’s 813 million weekly visitors across 175 regions worldwide. Since its 2008 launch, Apple’s marketplace has grown into one of the world’s most trusted digital storefronts, Apple said. But maintaining that reputation requires constant vigilance against evolving threats ranging from data theft apps to payment scams.

Rumors point to iPadOS 19 bringing the biggest improvements to iPad in years. The news is especially good for those who want their tablet to act more like a Mac.

With WWDC25 and the unveiling of iPadOS 19 mere weeks away, here’s what we already know about it.

Rumors swirling ahead of WWDC25 give us a decent idea about what to expect in iOS 19. The new operating system, which Apple will showcase when its annual developer conference kicks off June 9, shapes up as one of the more significant iPhone software updates lately.

The iOS 19 overhaul promises to transform how users interact with their devices through big design changes, enhanced AI capabilities and improved cross-platform integration.

The Nyrius Orion Prime Wireless USB-C to HDMI Video Transmitter & Receiver frees you from needing to string an HDMI cable across your office or living room. Plug one gizmo into your MacBook, iPad, or iPhone, and another into your TV, and they’re connected.

The wireless adapter sends HD video a surprising distance and doesn’t require a Wi-Fi network.

I tested the wireless video transmitter out for myself and came away impressed. That said, it does have a limitation that makes it better for entertainment than work.

Will Jony Ive and Sam Altman’s new partnership dethrone Apple? A lot of people seem to think that in a battle of OpenAI vs. Apple, the iPhone maker is on borrowed time.

Looking at social media, the hype about OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s startup io is off the charts. Many pundits predict doom for Apple, which is already widely assumed to be woefully behind in AI. Apple’s stock took a big dive on the news of OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s secret company Wednesday.

But I highly doubt that Ive and Altman will topple Apple from its throne. Apple still has massive advantages — and they’re perhaps unassailable. Here’s why.

You can easily hide photos and videos on your iPhone to keep secret and/or illicit images out of your main Photos library library. Hiding items from the camera roll makes sure nobody except you can see your embarrassing pictures, salacious nudes or old selfies with your ex.

Apple introduced the Hidden photo album years ago in iOS 8. But after Apple redesigned the Photos app in iOS 18, you can no longer find it at the bottom of the Albums tab — because the tab bar is gone.

Here’s what hiding photos does to your iPhone, how you can do stash those incriminating or mortifying pix, and where to find them.

The sci-fi action comedy Murderbot season 1 is the hottest show premiering this weekend. Apple TV+ turned an award-winning collection of novels into a series that’s fun to watch, with an enjoyable mix of laughs and fight sequences… with some suspense mixed in.

Here’s why you should tune in this weekend, whether you’ve read Martha Wells’ books or not.

With the StarTech.com USB-C Power Tester, you can easily look for charging problems in your setup. It’s a quick and easy way to ensure your devices are getting all the power they’re supposed to.

I tested the inexpensive little multimeter out. Here’s what I found.

What does the orange dot on your iPhone mean — and while we’re at it, how about the green dot? These mysterious dots can appear in the Dynamic Island of newer iPhones, or in the upper right corner of older models, near the battery icon.

The dots are part of Apple’s vast system of privacy and security features built into the iPhone. Of course, these privacy features only work if you know what they mean and how to use them — so keep reading for the answer below.

Spring is here, and the air is full of birdsong. The Merlin Bird ID app tells you what type of birds you’re hearing … plus it’s quick, easy and free.

With this software from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology on your iPhone, you can learn about all the birds around you — you might be surprised how many of them there are. And if you get interested, you’ll soon be able to identify them without the app.

After over a month of beta testing, iOS 18.5 is now available for all compatible iPhones. Unlike previous point iOS 18 releases, the new build does not pack any significant new features.

The update mainly includes minor changes, but older iPhones will receive one major new feature. Keep reading to know about everything new in iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5.

Apple’s annual Swift Student Challenge coding competition showcases young talent whose apps never cease to inspire. This year is no different, as Apple profiles four coders working to preserve cultural heritage, improve disaster preparedness, connect astronomy enthusiasts and expand educational access. Meet Swift Student Challenge winners and their inspiring coding projects below.

These four are part of a group of 50 winners who will attend WWDC25 in person at Apple Park in Cupertino for a three-day program.

“We’re always inspired by the talent and perspective young developers bring to the Swift Student Challenge,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “This year’s winners show exceptional skill in transforming meaningful ideas into app playgrounds that are innovative, impactful, and thoughtfully built — and we’re excited to support their journey as they continue building apps that will help shape the future.”

The best desk cable management seems like magic because it makes things disappear. Today’s M4 Mac mini setup with dual 4K displays shows that off beautifully, hiding most of the workstation’s gear underneath an elegant desk.

“That cable management is art,” said one appreciative commenter.

In this case, the user made the cable-management parts using a 3D printer. But you can achieve the same effect using a few inexpensive products that aren’t difficult to install.

The Backbone Pro game controller that launched Tuesday wraps around your iPhone and connects via USB-C, but it can also connect to your Mac or iPad via cable or Bluetooth. Plus, it adds remappable rear buttons to the standard mix of sticks, triggers, D-pad and more.

Backbone already makes the best iPhone game controller, and my hands-on experience with this new premium version found that it takes mobile gaming to a whole new level.

You can save time — and make sure your messages always go out when they’re supposed to — when you schedule email from the Apple Mail app. You can set your mail to deliver at any date or time in the future, whether it’s next Monday at 9 a.m. sharp, in two weeks’ time or even years from now.

If you work with someone in a different time zone, you can schedule messages to arrive just when they start their workday, which is especially helpful if the allotted time is in the middle of the night for you. You can schedule a series of reminders for that one irritatingly forgetful client of yours. Or, if you work remotely, you can try (and risk) prewriting messages to your boss to maintain the illusion of regular work. You can even schedule emails to remind you of an important anniversary, years down the line.

It’s easy to set up. Keep reading or watch our short video.