AllYouCanTech

9to5Mac Daily: October 2, 2025 – News on Fresh Product Speculations and Vision Pro Progress

**9to5Mac Daily: Your Destination for Everyday Apple News and Insights**

In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, keeping abreast of the latest news is essential, particularly for Apple fans. 9to5Mac Daily offers a streamlined way to get up to speed on the most significant stories connected to Apple and its ecosystem. This daily podcast caters to those who wish to remain informed without wading through countless articles or news outlets.

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Fresh episodes of 9to5Mac Daily are produced each weekday, providing listeners with prompt updates on Apple news. The podcast delves into a variety of subjects, ranging from product launches and software updates to market trends. By subscribing, you guarantee that new episodes are sent straight to your device as soon as they release.

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OpenAI’s Sora Secures Third Place on the App Store

OpenAI is presently featuring two applications in the App Store’s top 3, although it remains behind Gemini, largely due to the ongoing success of Google’s Nano Banana image model. Here’s why that is significant.

On September 30, OpenAI launched Sora, a social application fueled by a much-anticipated updated version of its initial generative video model. Even though it is invite-only, the app has been gaining significant traction, recording 56,000 downloads in the US on its launch day and 108,000 on its second day, as reported by AppFigures.

The download figures for the first day, noted by TechCrunch, place Sora’s introduction “on par with xAI’s Grok launch,” yet still behind ChatGPT and Gemini, which achieved 81,000 and 80,000 downloads on their debut days, respectively.

### What AI Fatigue?

In spite of persistent claims and hot takes asserting that “regular people don’t care about AI,” the ongoing success of Gemini at the App Store’s summit, with OpenAI closely trailing behind with two apps, implies a different narrative.

Interestingly, two of the current top 3 applications in the App Store heavily depend on multimodality, moving beyond the text-first strategy of ChatGPT, which indicates that typical users may be more inclined to engage with image and video-oriented AI features instead of models focused primarily on text. At least when they’re on their phones.

Regardless, while Elon Musk takes legal action against Apple and OpenAI due to the apparent lack of enthusiasm from users regarding Grok, Google and OpenAI appear to be connecting with users more effortlessly.

Gemini continues to attract attention for its capacity to produce images that closely align with references, while Sora’s combination of social features and hyper-realistic video creation is likely to propel both its momentum and the (very real) increasing controversy surrounding trademark infringement and AI slop.

Have you had a chance to use Sora? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Apple TV+ Leading Global Films and Series in September: Findings from JustWatch

### Apple TV+’s September Film Rankings

Each month, JustWatch determines the most-viewed titles among its users, offering a glimpse into the trending offerings on Apple TV+ across the globe. In September, Apple TV+ introduced two notable premieres that swiftly rose to the forefront of the rankings. Particularly, *The Gorge* claimed the third spot, sustaining its appeal after receiving an Emmy nomination in August. Furthermore, *Palmer* reappeared in the rankings, while *Echo Valley*, *CODA*, and *Fly Me To The Moon* filled out the lower end of the list. Here’s the complete Top 10 films:

1. [Highest 2 Lowest](https://apple.co/4kzlZLc)
2. [All of You](https://apple.co/4mQg71I)
3. [The Gorge](https://apple.co/3SxMT9Z)
4. [Killers of the Flower Moon](https://apple.co/4mrcxuF)
5. [The Family Plan](https://apple.co/44N85zG)
6. [Napoleon](https://apple.co/3GwPn61)
7. [Palmer](https://apple.co/3GaKxvj)
8. [Fountain of Youth](https://apple.co/3Ztnli4)
9. [Tetris](https://apple.co/3I6SbaA)
10. [Wolfs](https://apple.co/44TSjlF)

### Apple TV+’s September Series Rankings

In spite of a remarkable Emmy achievement, *The Studio* only moved up from seventh position in August to third place in September, falling behind *Foundation* and *Slow Horses*, the latter enjoying a much-anticipated season 5 launch. In comparison to the last month, *Smoke*, *Murderbot*, and *Stick* were excluded, while *Ted Lasso*, *Silo*, and *The Morning Show* made a comeback in the rankings. Here’s the full Top 10 series list:

1. [Slow Horses](https://apple.co/4l0Op0G)
2. [Foundation](https://apple.co/4kXH8yt)
3. [The Studio](https://apple.co/3H0ycKh)
4. [Invasion](https://apple.co/3ZZzBah)
5. [Chief of War](https://apple.co/4kw2tyH)
6. [The Morning Show](https://apple.co/44YhOUn)
7. [Severance](https://apple.co/4mI15ey)
8. [Platonic](https://apple.co/4kvSoSt)
9. [Silo](https://apple.co/4ns8SgJ)
10. [Ted Lasso](https://apple.co/4mNvk3R)

Apple TV+ is offered at $12.99 per month and showcases popular programs and films such as [Severance](https://apple.co/4mI15ey), [The Studio](https://tv.apple.com/show/the-studio/umc.cmc.7518algxc4lsoobtsx30dqb52?itscg=30200&itsct=tv_box_link&mttnsubad=umc.cmc.7518algxc4lsoobtsx30dqb52&at=1000l3cFK), [The Morning Show](https://tv.apple.com/show/the-morning-show/umc.cmc.25tn3v8ku4b39tr6ccgb8nl6m?itscg=30200&itsct=tv_box_link&mttnsubad=umc.cmc.25tn3v8ku4b39tr6ccgb8nl6m&at=1000l3cFK), [Shrinking](https://tv.apple.com/show/shrinking/umc.cmc.apzybj6eqf6pzccd97kev7bs?itscg=30200&itsct=tv_box_link&mttnsubad=umc.cmc.apzybj6eqf6pzccd97kev7bs&at=1000l3cFK), and

Affinity Apps for iPad Offered Free of Charge Ahead of October 30 Event, Possible Restrictions Mentioned

# Free Affinity Apps for iPad: A Time-Sensitive Offer

Have you ever wanted to utilize Affinity Photo 2, Affinity Publisher 2, and Affinity Designer 2 on your iPad? Now is your opportunity. These three robust applications are presently available at no cost, but this promotion might not continue for long. Here’s what you should be aware of.

## New Apps Could Be Introduced on October 30

Affinity is advertising an upcoming event on October 30, and their website has notably minimized mentions of their current app lineup. The notice on their site states:

> “Creative Freedom Is Coming. Sign up to be the first to know. True creative freedom is just around the corner. October 30. SEE THE FUTURE FIRST.”

While specific event details are still vague, there is speculation that Serif, the company behind Affinity, might be planning a major overhaul of its app collection.

Several signs support this idea:

1. **Removal from the Mac App Store**: The applications have been taken off the Mac App Store, indicating a potential strategic shift.
2. **Current Free Availability**: Affinity Photo 2, Affinity Publisher 2, and Affinity Designer 2 are now available for free on the iPad, having previously been priced at $18.49 each after a 7-day trial.

Considering these changes, there’s no assurance that the iPad versions will remain free following the October 30 event, nor that they will operate as intended.

If you’ve been thinking about exploring these applications beyond the trial, this could be your last chance to experience their functionalities without any charge.

## Anticipations for the October 30 Announcement

As the event nears, many are eager to see what Serif will reveal. Will new features be introduced, a complete redesign occur, or perhaps entirely new applications be launched? The creative community is keen to understand how these changes will influence their workflows and essential tools.

## Accessory Offers on Amazon

Alongside the buzz about the Affinity apps, there are also accessory offers on Amazon that may enhance your iPad usage.

### Conclusion

To summarize, the current free availability of Affinity Photo 2, Affinity Publisher 2, and Affinity Designer 2 on iPad offers a distinct chance for users to engage with these powerful design resources. However, with the forthcoming event on October 30, it’s prudent to seize this opportunity while it’s available. Stay updated on the news from Serif, as it may transform the landscape of creative applications soon.

Apple Watch and Mac mini Excluded from Carbon Neutral Marketing: Explanations Provided

### Apple’s Shift Towards Carbon Neutrality: A Closer Look at the Changes

With the unveiling of the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple declared it as their inaugural carbon neutral product, showcasing a remarkable ~80% decrease in emissions along with high-quality carbon offsets to mitigate the remaining impact. This dedication to sustainability was similarly reflected in the updated Mac mini. However, recent updates have prompted a notable alteration in how Apple promotes these items.

#### New EU Regulations

Apple has ceased to advertise any of its Apple Watch or Mac mini items as carbon neutral. This transition does not signify a modification in Apple’s environmental policies; the company remains firmly committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. The change in marketing approach is a direct reaction to a new ruling from the European Union, which forbids companies from utilizing the term “carbon neutral” in their product advertisements, irrespective of their actual carbon neutrality status.

This regulation, scheduled to be implemented in September 2026, aims to unify the definition of carbon neutrality universally, preventing businesses from interpreting the term in diverse manners. EU regulators have adopted a robust stance by effectively banning the term to eliminate possible confusion for consumers.

#### Apple’s Worldwide Marketing Approach

In preparation for these regulations, Apple has modified its environmental marketing tactics on a global level. Consequently, products like the Apple Watch and Mac mini are no longer labeled as “carbon neutral.” This strategic adjustment was initially brought to attention in an article by Fast Company in August, demonstrating Apple’s proactive stance towards compliance with the forthcoming laws.

Despite the limitation in showcasing carbon neutrality, Apple persists in its emissions reduction efforts. For example, the Apple Watch Series 11 has been engineered to achieve lower net emissions than its predecessor, with statistics indicating 8.1 kg for the Series 11 compared to 8.3 kg for the Series 10.

#### Dedication to Sustainability

Apple asserts that it is progressing toward carbon neutrality across its entire supply chain by 2030. The company’s ongoing projects exhibit a commitment to sustainability, even if the marketing terminology has been altered. The emphasis continues to be on minimizing emissions and endorsing environmentally responsible practices throughout its operations.

In conclusion, while Apple’s capacity to promote its products as carbon neutral has been restricted by new EU regulations, the company’s pledge to sustainability and emissions reduction remains steadfast. As the deadline for carbon neutrality draws near, Apple’s endeavors will continue to adapt, reflecting its long-term ecological objectives.

Apple Notes in iOS 26.1 Unveils New Swipe Gesture Functionality for Improved User Experience

### iOS 26.1’s Text Editing Menu Within Notes and More Introduces Swipe Gesture

iOS 26.1 is presently undergoing beta testing, and as users delve into the update, fresh features are being revealed. A key enhancement is a new swipe gesture for accessing the text editing menu in the Notes app.

In iOS 26, Apple restructured the traditional text editing menu that appears when highlighting text in Apple Notes and other compatible applications. Previously, users had to swipe left to uncover extra options, often necessitating several swipes to find the needed editing tool. The menu has been optimized in iOS 26, bringing most options together under a dropdown that can be accessed by tapping a right-facing arrow icon.

The revamped menu has garnered favorable feedback, with many users viewing it as a major upgrade over earlier versions. Nonetheless, iOS 26.1 further enhances this experience by introducing a new swipe gesture that enables users to swiftly open the dropdown menu by swiping left.

This gesture is especially advantageous for two primary reasons:

1. **Muscle Memory**: It corresponds with the muscle memory of users familiar with swiping left for different functions.

2. **One-Handed Use**: It presents a more convenient choice for one-handed operation, particularly when reaching the right-facing arrow is challenging on larger devices.

The swipe gesture is not restricted to Apple Notes; it also works in other iOS 26.1 applications that use the default text editor. However, given the vast array of editing tools available in Notes, it is expected to see the most frequent use there.

Alongside the new gesture for Notes, iOS 26.1 is poised to also launch a swipe gesture for Apple’s Music app, thereby further enhancing user engagement throughout the platform.

As users keep exploring these new features in iOS 26.1, feedback regarding the swipe gesture for Notes is welcomed, as it marks an essential advancement in refining the overall user experience.

CarPlay Ultra: Companies Dismiss Apple’s Latest Innovations

After years of waiting, CarPlay Ultra has officially debuted earlier this year. Numerous automakers have committed to collaborating with Apple to incorporate CarPlay Ultra into their cars. However, several prominent brands have opted not to back this new technology.

### No Anticipated CarPlay Ultra Support from These Brands

Aston Martin was the initial automaker to implement CarPlay Ultra in its models, and Apple has gathered a robust list of partners who will embrace the new technology gradually. Sadly, the roster of brands avoiding CarPlay Ultra is currently more extensive.

Here are the automakers with no promised support:

– BMW
– Buick
– BYD
– Cadillac
– Chevrolet
– Chrysler
– Dodge
– Fiat
– GMC
– Jeep
– Lexus
– Mazda
– Mercedes-Benz (previously committed but withdrew)
– RAM
– Rivian
– Subaru
– Suzuki
– Tesla
– Toyota
– Volkswagen

If your favorite automaker is included in this list, they may possibly never adopt CarPlay Ultra. While those who have made promises may require time to implement support, at least one day CarPlay Ultra is anticipated to be available for them.

Many of the brands mentioned above do provide support for standard CarPlay, which applies to the vast majority of automakers. However, exceptions like Tesla and Rivian remain distinct. It seems that Apple’s vision of managing more of the vehicle’s functionalities through CarPlay Ultra is not attractive to many of these manufacturers.

As more automakers begin to rollout CarPlay Ultra support in the future and as the platform develops, it will be intriguing to observe whether any of the brands currently abstaining will reconsider their decision.

Will CarPlay Ultra affect your future vehicle purchase choices?