Apple Maps Launches Bicycle Routing Capability in Hong Kong and Taiwan

### Apple Maps Enhances Cycling Directions: A Global Overview

When Apple initially launched cycling directions on Apple Maps, this functionality was initially accessible in select urban areas such as New York and Beijing. Since its limited launch in 2020, Apple has progressively broadened its scope, now incorporating cycling directions in locations like Hong Kong and Taiwan.

For cyclists, obtaining comprehensive information is essential for efficient route planning. Important factors include the presence of bike paths and lanes, their extent along the route, and the elevation changes that could influence the journey. Apple Maps endeavors to meet these requirements by offering optimized routes specifically tailored for cyclists, prioritizing bike-friendly paths rather than those intended for pedestrians or motor vehicles.

The expansion of cycling directions has reached several bike-friendly nations, including the Netherlands, renowned for its vast cycling infrastructure. Currently, the feature is also being introduced in Hong Kong and Taiwan, providing alternatives to bypass hills and congested roads, thereby improving the overall cycling experience.

Despite this growth, Apple has not yet refreshed its official list of regions offering cycling directions to encompass Hong Kong and Taiwan. At present, the supported regions stated on Apple’s website consist of:

– Australia
– Austria
– Belgium
– Canada
– China mainland
– Denmark
– Finland
– France
– Germany
– Greece
– Ireland
– Italy
– Japan
– Monaco
– Netherlands
– New Zealand
– Norway
– Portugal
– San Marino
– Singapore
– Spain
– Sweden
– Switzerland
– Thailand
– United Kingdom
– United States
– Vatican City

As Apple continues to enhance its mapping features, users can look forward to additional updates concerning the inclusion of more areas for cycling directions.

For individuals who take advantage of cycling directions in Apple Maps, sharing experiences and feedback can yield valuable insights into the feature’s efficacy and potential areas for enhancement.

Apple Arcade Introduces Four New Titles, Including Play-Doh World

As anticipated last month, Apple has unveiled four new titles for Apple Arcade today, enhancing its collection of over 200 ad-free games for subscribers. Here’s what’s new.

## Play-Doh World

Play-Doh casts its spell in the digital realm with Play-Doh World, enabling players to create their own characters and see them come to life. From designing quirky zoo creatures to crafting wild salon hairstyles, each part of this vibrant universe responds to the player’s inventive desires. With numerous interactive areas, collectible exclusive Play-Doh, and consistent content updates, Play-Doh World presents creative endeavors and limitless, imagination-driven play — all within a secure, ad-free setting.

[Play Play-Doh World on Apple Arcade](https://apple.co/4mmK6xo)

## Worms Across Worlds

Worms Across Worlds represents the next chapter of the acclaimed series. When Professor Worminkle’s experiments jeopardize reality, the beloved worm warriors find themselves racing through five uniquely different dimensions. Players will pursue the mad scientist across worlds in this strategic turn-based action title. Whether engaging solo or coordinating epic four-team multiplayer chaos, each challenge and dimension brings players closer to halting the professor’s trail of chaos.

[Play Worms Across Worlds on Apple Arcade](https://apple.co/3Uh19ot)

## Let’s Go Mightycat!

An ordinary cat transforms into an unexpected cosmic champion when a powerful entity turns it into the universe’s cutest conqueror. In this derivative of the popular tower defense game The Battle Cats, players can personalize their heroic feline with fashionable capes, save intergalactic companions, and propel Mightycat through vibrant planetary levels. With a range of challenging puzzle stages, every tap draws players nearer to the ultimate objective: to bring every planet in the universe under the Cat Empire’s charming yet powerful paw.

[Play Let’s Go Mightycat! on Apple Arcade](https://apple.co/4opcaBW)

## Everybody Shogi

Everybody Shogi is a wonderfully reimagined version of the classic Japanese strategic board game. Combining vibrant graphics, user-friendly controls, and captivating puzzle-like levels, the game presents shogi in a relaxed yet tactical manner. Players can partake in daily challenges, unlock exclusive piece designs, and create personalized decks. With real-time matches against global players and smooth crossplay across devices, Everybody Shogi welcomes everyone to delve into the intricacies of shogi through fast-paced gameplay in a lively and inviting environment.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Display Size Information and iPhone 17 Event Date Uncovered

# Apple Rumor Replay: Fresh Insights on Upcoming Products

This is **Rumor Replay**, a weekly feature at *9to5Mac* providing a brief summary of the latest Apple product speculations, along with analysis and commentary. Today: Apple Watch Ultra 3’s screen enhancement, iPhone 17 event date, intriguing case leaks, an OLED MacBook Pro, and more. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.

## Apple Watch Ultra 3 Featuring Bigger Display

Following the release of iOS 26 beta 5 earlier this week, Aaron Perris found that it contains an Apple Watch image with a resolution not corresponding to any current models. All indicators suggest this is a new screen size for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. The increased resolution is 422 x 514, slightly higher than the 410 x 502 resolution of Apple Watch Ultra screens.

### My Observations

Last year, the Apple Watch Series 10 launched with numerous significant enhancements. Conversely, the Apple Watch Ultra received no major updates apart from a satin black finish. It’s exciting to see that this year’s Apple Watch Ultra 3 seems poised to compensate for the two-year hiatus. It always seemed peculiar that the 46mm Series 10 had a technically larger display than the Ultra. Even if the size enlargement this year isn’t dramatic, it should still suffice to reclaim the size title for the Ultra. My main question is: will the case size also increase, and if it does, can Apple incorporate a bigger battery? Or is the screen enhancement merely a result of thinner bezels?

## iPhone 17: Apple Event Date, Batteries, and Cases

With a month left until Apple’s anticipated iPhone 17 reveal, a trio of fresh rumors emerged this week.

– The iPhone 17 event is reportedly scheduled for **Tuesday, September 9**, as per internal documents from German carriers.
– Leaked photos showed side-by-side comparisons of batteries for the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro.
– Images allegedly depicting Apple’s official iPhone 17 silicone cases revealed a hole for lanyard attachments and a distinctive “liquid silicone” design option.

### My Observations

September 9 has always appeared to be the ideal date for the iPhone event based on historical trends, so this is not surprising. The significant disparity in battery sizes between the iPhone 17 Air and Pro also doesn’t come as a shock. The iPhone 17 cases shared represent a particularly intriguing rumor. The addition of lanyard holes to the case is an interesting innovation. I’m curious whether we’ll see both wrist and neck-length lanyards as new options. I also ponder if there’s more to the “Liquid Silicone” cases than what is evident now.

## OLED MacBook Pro Still Anticipated in 2026

A report from Omdia indicates that Samsung will provide OLED displays for a new MacBook Pro model expected to launch in 2026. This transition will also reportedly involve a shift from the existing notch design to a pill-shaped cutout, potentially accommodating the Dynamic Island.

### My Observations

We’ve encountered previous reports regarding the MacBook Pro receiving OLED in 2026 and moving away from the notch. Although some speculated that a possible delay in the M5 MacBook Pro could postpone the anticipated M6 OLED model, it appears that shouldn’t be the case. The Dynamic Island has proven to be a valuable addition to the iPhone, but I’m uncertain about its effectiveness on a Mac. Apple has indeed prepared the ground this year by introducing Live Activities to macOS Tahoe.

## New Apple TV 4K Could Debut as Soon as Next Month

Referencing an unnamed source, *MacRumors* reported this week that a new Apple TV 4K is still projected to launch before year-end. This assertion aligns with prior information from Mark Gurman at *Bloomberg* regarding an imminent release.

### My Observations

Traditionally, Apple has occasionally unveiled Apple TV products during its September event and sometimes later in the autumn. My guess is on a September launch this year. Apple TV+ boasts a robust fall lineup that Apple will surely want to showcase during its iPhone 17 event. Consequently, it would make considerable sense to introduce the new Apple TV 4K concurrently—even if it doesn’t ship immediately.

What are your insights from this week’s Apple rumors? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Latest Enhancements and Modifications for Apple Wallet in iOS 26

# Apple Wallet in iOS 26: New Features and Enhancements

Apple Wallet, an essential application for iOS users, is set to undergo major updates in iOS 26, featuring a redesigned Liquid Glass interface and a variety of new functionalities designed to enhance user interaction. Here’s an in-depth overview of what’s coming to Apple Wallet.

## Boarding Pass Upgrades

Digital boarding passes have established themselves as a fundamental element of the Wallet app, and iOS 26 brings forth numerous improvements:

– **Live Activities**: Users now have the ability to share their Live Activity with friends or family, making it simpler to keep others updated on flight information.
– **Airport Maps**: Improved navigation within airports will assist users in finding their way more effectively.
– **Luggage Tracking with Find My**: This feature enables travelers to monitor their luggage in real-time, offering reassurance throughout their journey.

With these enhancements, Apple aims to optimize the travel experience for users.

## US Passport Support

In a notable advancement, iOS 26 will incorporate support for US passports in Apple Wallet. This addition enables users to use their digital passport as a form of identification at TSA checkpoints, within applications, and during in-person interactions. However, it is advisable for users to check specific airport regulations regarding digital IDs prior to their travels.

## Order Tracking Powered by Apple Intelligence

The order tracking capability of Apple Wallet, which debuted in iOS 16, is receiving a significant upgrade in iOS 26. Through the incorporation of Apple Intelligence, the app can now automatically recognize and summarize order tracking information from emails received from merchants or delivery services. This improvement allows users to view their order particulars and progress updates all in one location, without needing external support.

## Saved Credit Card Details

iOS 26 presents the option to store complete credit card information directly within the Wallet app. While users will still only see the last four digits of their Apple Pay identifier by default, they now have the option to save the entire card number, expiration date, and additional details. This feature aims to make online shopping and payment processes more straightforward.

## Apple Pay Installments and Rewards In-Store

With iOS 26, Apple Pay users can benefit from installment payment alternatives through partners such as Affirm when making purchases in-store. Moreover, users can access rewards associated with their selected Apple Pay card, enriching the overall shopping experience.

## Notification Control for Offers and Promotions

In response to user requests, iOS 26 introduces a fresh notification category within the Wallet app that enables users to turn off promotional alerts. This feature offers enhanced control over the types of notifications users receive, creating a more tailored experience.

## Conclusion

The updates in iOS 26 demonstrate Apple’s dedication to improving the Apple Wallet experience, making it an even more vital component of the iPhone ecosystem. With new features aimed at enhancing travel, order tracking, payment methods, and user authority, Apple Wallet is set to become an essential tool for its users. Which new feature excites you the most?