Blog

iOS 26.2 Launch for iPhone Anticipated Shortly, Based on Insider Information

### iOS 26.2’s Release Approaches: Revealed Build Numbers Suggest Launch

The much-anticipated debut of iOS 26.2 for iPhone seems to be on the horizon, potentially happening today. This conjecture gains traction from a credible leaker who has revealed the build numbers linked to the impending release.

#### Revealed Build Numbers Suggest iOS 26.2 is Ready for Launch

Recently, Apple issued the Release Candidate (RC) version of iOS 26.2 to beta testers. The RC typically represents the final iteration of a software update prior to its public release, indicating that the timing of this rollout hints at an upcoming public launch.

Heightening the anticipation, an anonymous leaker on X, renowned for accurately forecasting iOS software launches beforehand, has shared build numbers for both iOS and iPadOS 26.2. The leaker has pointed out build numbers **23C52** and **23C54** as the official builds for the forthcoming software.

Notably, the RC version released last week also features the build number 23C52. The rationale behind the two differing build numbers is not clear, but it could be that one is allocated for particular devices. For example, iPhone and iPad models with C1 or C1X modems may receive a distinct build.

For those who are anxiously awaiting the public rollout of iOS 26.2, which is set to introduce a variety of new features, the wait is anticipated to be over very soon.

Read More
Apple Silicon Head Johny Srouji Intends to Stay at Apple for the Foreseeable Future

**Johny Srouji Reaffirms Dedication to Apple Following Leadership Changes**

Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies, has officially stated his intention to continue with the company, quelling speculation regarding his possible exit. This declaration follows rumors reported by Bloomberg, which indicated that Srouji might be considering a departure from Apple for another role instead of opting for retirement.

In a memo sent to his team, Srouji conveyed pride in the cutting-edge technologies created at Apple, including innovations in displays, cameras, sensors, silicon, and batteries. He highlighted his affection for his team and his position within the company, asserting, “I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.” This communication was aimed at directly addressing the ongoing speculation about his future at Apple.

The backdrop of Srouji’s reaffirmation is noteworthy, as it comes after a series of significant departures from Apple’s leadership team. Recently, the firm disclosed the exits of AI chief John Giannandrea, environmental chief Lisa Jackson, and General Counsel Katherine Adams. Moreover, Alan Dye, a key software designer, has moved on to a role at Meta. These shifts have sparked worries about the stability of Apple’s executive team.

Srouji’s dedication is especially important given the pivotal role he holds in Apple’s chip development, which has been a key aspect of the company’s strategy to enhance its product lines. His leadership in this domain is essential as Apple continues to innovate and compete in the technology sector.

For more information, the complete Bloomberg report can be found

Read More
AirPods Pro 3 and Apple Watch Series 11 Now $100 Reduced; Mac Mini Available for $479, Along with Price Cuts on iPads and More

### Black Friday 2.0: Unmatched Discounts on Apple Products

As the festive shopping period progresses, shoppers are experiencing extraordinary savings akin to Black Friday. Particularly, the **AirPods Pro 3** and **AirPods 4** are now at their all-time lowest prices, with the latter retailing for just **$99**. Nevertheless, the standout of today’s promotions is the **Apple Watch Series 11**, which has undergone a notable price reduction, making it an appealing choice for technology aficionados.

#### Apple Watch Series 11: Unprecedented Low Pricing

The **Apple Watch Series 11** has reached a historic low, now offered at **$100 off**, with prices commencing at **$299** for the 42mm model and **$329** for the 46mm variant. This pricing represents a considerable cut from the usual prices of **$399** and **$429** respectively. Both models, inclusive of GPS and GPS + Cellular alternatives, are available at this discounted price on Amazon and Best Buy.

This price drop showcases the most attractive deal found online, exceeding prior Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions. For those who were reluctant during earlier sales, this presents a fantastic opportunity to acquire one of Apple’s newest wearables at a competitive rate.

#### M4 Mac Mini: Budget-Friendly Computing

In addition to the Apple Watch, the **M4 Mac mini** has reverted to its Black Friday pricing of **$479**, providing a **$120 discount** off its typical price of **$599**. This model comes equipped with **16GB of RAM** and a **256GB SSD**, rendering it a robust yet affordable choice for users in search of a compact desktop option.

While other versions of the Mac mini have not received similar discounts, B&H is providing a **$120 discount** on the **24GB model**, reducing its price to **$679**. This makes it a feasible option for those seeking improved performance without overspending.

#### Additional Discounts on Apple Products

Beyond the Apple Watch and Mac mini, there are also substantial discounts on the **iPad 11**, starting at **$279**, and the **M3 iPad Air** lineup, available from **$450**. These promotions indicate a widespread trend of price reductions across Apple’s offerings, making it an optimal time for consumers to acquire new technology.

#### Conclusion

With these exceptional deals on sought-after Apple products, shoppers can capitalize on prices that are more affordable than those experienced during the standard Black Friday events. Whether it’s the Apple Watch Series 11, the M4 Mac mini, or the latest iPads, consumers can discover outstanding value this holiday season.

Read More
Honor Magic 8 Lite: Exceptional Endurance with 7500mAh Battery, Impact Resistance, and IP69K Certification

**Android Central Verdict: Honor Magic 8 Lite**

**Rating: 4 out of 5 stars**

Honor delivers with a mid-range success that features the largest battery and quickest charging capabilities in its category, alongside a durability that is designed to endure for an extended period, boasting top-tier drop and ingress protection. Overall performance is typically outstanding, and the software is replete with remarkable features. Starting off with Android 15 is disappointing, but it does offer a commitment to six years of OS updates in Europe. I’m not particularly fond of the flat edges or the subpar haptics, and the camera can be annoyingly slow, but compromises are expected at this price level, and these are not awful concessions.

**Pros:**
– Distinctive camera island design
– 3-day battery longevity and rapid charging
– Leading ingress protection and durability
– Strong overall performance
– Great value for money

**Cons:**
– Launching with Android 15
– Haptics have a low-quality feel
– Camera responsiveness requires enhancement
– Sides are excessively flat and awkwardly designed
– Only Europe receives the most favorable software update guarantee

Read More
Android to Notify Users of Possible Scams When Screen Sharing Requests Occur During Calls

improving Android with enhanced security measures — such as advanced features designed to shield you from message fraud — and the company is now advancing further with in-call scam defense that Google claims will assist in identifying if con artists are attempting to gain access to your financial applications. This new feature is included in an expanding pilot initiative, which Google states is now being made available to a larger user base.

Essentially, when you’re on a call and sharing your screen while launching a financial app like your banking application, the new system will verify if the individual you are conversing with is in your contacts. If that individual is not, your Android device will produce a warning indicating that the call is likely a scam, suggesting that fraudsters might be using the call to compromise your finances. The company detailed the feature in a recent security blog entry, and this latest pilot follows closely on the heels of Google’s newest Circle to Search scam verifier, which enables you to circle elements on your screen to check for scams as well.

Disrupting the scammers’ influence

The whole new system is crafted to disrupt the “influence” that fraudsters can sometimes exert with their social engineering strategies. Google notes that once the warning activates, you will be required to wait for 30 seconds before proceeding. During this interval, the sense of urgency often exploited by scammers should ideally be countered by rational thought, giving you an opportunity to refrain from divulging your banking details to a malicious entity.

As mentioned earlier, the feature initially launched as part of a pilot program in the UK, and Google asserts that it “assisted thousands of users in terminating calls that could have cost them a considerable sum of money.” Certainly,

Read More
Five Typical Errors That Drain Your Computer’s Storage Space

cause your SSD to malfunction. Even if everything appears fine, your drive may be suffering from impaired memory cells, overloaded firmware controllers, or mechanical parts that are deteriorating.

A lot of these problems can be prevented with just a few straightforward regular practices. You only need to cultivate certain habits, such as routinely cleaning your PC, ensuring it has adequate airflow through the case, or frequently updating the drive’s firmware. Extending the lifespan of your storage device can be that easy! The distinction between a robust drive that endures its expected lifespan and one that fails early hinges on a handful of conscious practices.

1. Overheating

Apple TV Tops Golden Globes Nominations in Major Categories

Nominations for the 2026 Golden Globes have been officially revealed, with Apple TV achieving a total of 14 nominations and appearing to be an early leader in two of the most sought-after categories: Best TV Drama and Best TV Musical or Comedy.

The 83rd Annual Golden Globes is scheduled for Sunday, January 11, and Apple TV seems poised for a significant night. The nominations for this year’s awards have just been unveiled, and Apple stands out as the early leader for the two most esteemed TV series categories: Best Drama and Best Musical or Comedy.

Here are the complete lists of nominees for those categories:

**Best Television Series – Drama**
– *The Diplomat* (Netflix)
– *The Pitt* (HBO Max)
– *Pluribus* (Apple TV)
– *Severance* (Apple TV)
– *Slow Horses* (Apple TV)
– *The White Lotus* (HBO Max)

**Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy**
– *Abbott Elementary* (ABC)
– *The Bear* (FX on Hulu)
– *Hacks* (HBO Max)
– *Nobody Wants This* (Netflix)
– *Only Murders in the Building* (Hulu)
– *The Studio* (Apple TV)

Since *The Studio* secured Best Comedy at the Emmys, the show has emerged as a strong contender for the Golden Globes as well. However, what stands out even more is Apple occupying three out of six Best Drama slots with *Pluribus*, *Severance*, and *Slow Horses*.

Acquiring a full 50% of the nominations for the most desirable TV award is a significant achievement. Although winning is not assured, as *The Pitt* may hinder Apple’s aspirations yet again. Nonetheless, unlike the Emmys, this time around Apple has *Pluribus* alongside *Severance* as another formidable competitor.

Numerous Apple TV actors received nominations as well, including Rhea Seehorn for *Pluribus*, Adam Scott, Britt Lower, and Tramell Tillman for *Severance*, among others.

Apple also obtained a pair of Golden Globes nominations for *F1 The Movie*, encompassing ‘Cinematic and Box Office Achievement’ and ‘Original Score.’

Apple TV is priced at $12.99 per month and showcases popular TV shows and films such as *Ted Lasso*, *Severance*, *Pluribus*, and more. It is also available through the Apple One bundle.

Read More
9to5Mac Daily Update: December 8, 2025 – Apple Chip Leader Considers Leaving in Light of iPhone Rumors

### 9to5Mac Daily: Your Destination for Daily Apple Updates

In the dynamic realm of technology, staying informed with current news is vital, particularly for Apple fans. 9to5Mac Daily offers a straightforward way to get up to speed on the major stories concerning Apple and its ecosystem. This daily podcast caters to listeners who wish to remain updated without having to browse through numerous articles.

#### What is 9to5Mac Daily?

9to5Mac Daily is a podcast that provides a summary of the most important Apple-related news each weekday. Hosted by experienced tech journalists, the podcast encompasses a broad array of subjects, including product announcements, software enhancements, and market trends. Each episode is crafted to be brief and insightful, making it simple for listeners to stay informed.

#### Where to Listen

Listeners can find 9to5Mac Daily on a variety of platforms, allowing you to listen in wherever you may be. The podcast is available on:

– [iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9to5mac-daily/id1331816080)
– [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/9to5mac-daily)
– [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/radio/9to5Mac-Daily-p1089524/)
– [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/I5d4dzs7dauazmfxvvrynyiuram?t=9to5Mac_Daily)
– [Dedicated RSS feed](https://feedpress.me/9to5macdaily) for Overcast and other podcast applications

#### Special Offers and Sponsorships

9to5Mac Daily frequently showcases sponsorships that provide listeners with exclusive deals. For example, Backblaze, a cloud backup provider, is presently offering a 30% discount for 9to5Mac listeners using the code **9to5Xmas** until the month’s end. This not only backs the podcast but also gives listeners confidence regarding their data security.

#### Subscription Benefits

For those looking to enhance their listening experience, subscribing to 9to5Mac Daily Plus comes with several advantages:

– Ad-free versions of every episode
– Access to additional content

Subscribing directly contributes to the podcast and guarantees that you receive the newest episodes as soon as they are available.

#### Engage with the Community

Listeners are encouraged to share their opinions and feedback. You can contact via email at

Read More
Google Pixel Watch Update Enhances Always-On Display Functionality for More Clock Options

Timers, stopwatches, and media controls are now visible on the always-on display of your Pixel Watch.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Essential Information

  • Google is enhancing the visibility of timers and stopwatches on the Pixel Watch’s always-on display.
  • Following an update to the Google Clock app, media controls and additional clock functions will be accessible on the Pixel Watch’s AOD.
  • It seems Google is finally embracing the “Force Global AOD Experience” developer option introduced in Wear OS 5.1.

Notice

Read More