Tag: Source: 9to5mac.com

# Apple’s Always On Display: Updates in iOS 26

Apple’s Always On Display (AOD) feature, which debuted with the iPhone 14 Pro, has seen a subtle yet notable modification with the arrival of iOS 26. This article examines the adjustments made to the Always On Display functionality and how users can tailor their experience.

## Always On Display Modes

Originally, the Always On Display feature permitted users to view a dimmed iteration of their Lock Screen wallpaper while their iPhone was secured. This offered quick access to vital information such as the time, date, notifications, and widgets. However, with the iOS 26 update, Apple has altered the default operation of the AOD feature.

Rather than simply dimming the Lock Screen wallpaper, iOS 26 now employs a blur effect on the wallpaper by default. This modification improves the visibility of the clock and widgets, allowing them to be more prominent. Nonetheless, for users who prefer a crisp image as their wallpaper, this adjustment might lessen the aesthetic value of the feature.

Fortunately, Apple has added a toggle option that enables users to return to the original behavior. This allows users to disable the blurred wallpaper effect and showcase their Lock Screen in full clarity, just as it was before the update.

## Customization Options

While customization options for the Always On Display feature have always been somewhat restricted, they continue to be practical. Users can decide whether to showcase their wallpaper and can also select whether notifications are displayed. This adaptability allows for a streamlined, utility-focused display or one that maintains the character of the user’s selected wallpaper and Lock Screen setup.

The screen will automatically shut off completely in certain scenarios, such as when the device is face down, covered, in CarPlay, utilizing Continuity Camera, in Low Power Mode, during Sleep Focus, or at bedtime.

## The Impact of iOS 26 Changes

The primary update in iOS 26 is the default blurring of wallpapers when the display dims. While this effect may enhance readability, it fundamentally changes the look of the Lock Screen. Some users may favor a clear display of their selected wallpaper over a blurred alternative.

To modify this setting, users can go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display and turn off the blurred wallpaper option. This empowers users to personalize their Always On Display experience according to their preferences.

## Conclusion

The modifications to Apple’s Always On Display feature in iOS 26 strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics. While the blurred wallpaper effect may improve visibility, it might not be to everyone’s taste. The addition of a toggle to revert to the original display style offers users the flexibility to select what best meets their needs. Ultimately, whether one likes the blurred effect for privacy or the sharpness of their wallpaper is a matter of individual choice.

### Jeff: Director of Video Content Production at 9to5

Jeff has positioned himself as a significant player in the technology content arena as the director of video content production for 9to5. His path commenced in 2016 when he became part of 9to5Mac, a premier destination for Apple news and reviews. Since that time, he has been vital in generating a diverse range of video content that appeals to both tech aficionados and casual users.

#### Content Generation and Proficiency

At 9to5, Jeff focuses on crafting videos that encompass walkthroughs, how-tos, written tutorials, and in-depth reviews. His technique for content generation is marked by a dedication to clarity and straightforwardness. Jeff holds that technology should be available to all, and he works to simplify intricate ideas into easily comprehensible parts. This principle has struck a chord with viewers, resulting in hundreds of millions of views across his videos.

#### Audience Engagement

Jeff’s knack for connecting with his audience is a crucial element of his success. He recognizes the significance of engaging storytelling and leverages it to enrich the educational experience. By integrating real-life applications and practical advice, he guarantees that viewers not only grasp the technology but also feel empowered to use it competently.

#### Increasing Influence

In his role as the director of video content production, Jeff has been instrumental in broadening 9to5’s presence on platforms such as YouTube. His videos have become an essential resource for those wanting to remain informed about the newest tech advancements and how to apply them. By subscribing to 9to5Mac on YouTube, viewers can keep up with Jeff’s latest content, which continues to motivate and enlighten an expanding audience.

#### Conclusion

Jeff’s impact on 9to5 and the wider tech community is considerable. His commitment to delivering high-quality, informative content has established him as a reliable source for tech enthusiasts. As technology keeps progressing, Jeff stays at the leading edge, assisting others in navigating the intricacies of the digital sphere with ease and assurance.

Meta has recently introduced a new iPhone application named “Forum,” specifically designed to create dedicated environments for Facebook groups. This app comes on the heels of another release, Instants, earlier in May, highlighting Meta’s significant effort to upgrade its mobile services.

**Overview of Forum**

Forum is crafted as an independent experience for Facebook Groups, enabling users to partake in more profound dialogues and link with communities that hold significance for them. The application is exclusively available on iOS and can be obtained from the App Store.

**Key Features of Forum**

1. **Dedicated Space for Groups**: Users can log in using their Facebook accounts, facilitating seamless integration of their current groups, profiles, and activities. The app provides an option to post under a pseudonym, ensuring user privacy during discussions.

2. **Focused Feed**: The application curates a feed that centers around dialogues from the user’s groups, allowing them to observe authentic interactions instead of trending subjects. This feature enables users to smoothly continue conversations from where they paused.

3. **Community Engagement**: Forum motivates users to pose queries and seek guidance from real individuals within their groups. The “Ask” function gathers responses from different groups, making it easy to obtain quick and pertinent answers.

4. **Admin Tools**: Group administrators continue to have access to their management tools on Facebook, while Forum introduces an AI assistant to assist with moderation and community oversight, ensuring a constructive environment for discussions.

5. **Interest-Based Topics**: The application seeks to unite users around common interests, whether they involve niche hobbies, local advice, or support networks, nurturing a community spirit.

**Conclusion**

Forum signifies Meta’s dedication to improving user experience within Facebook Groups by providing a focused platform for interaction and community development. With its emphasis on significant dialogues and community involvement, Forum aspires to transform how users connect and share within their groups. Users can download the application from the App Store to begin exploring their communities in an innovative manner.

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

In the dynamic realm of technology, remaining informed about the latest news, particularly concerning Apple products and services, is crucial for both enthusiasts and professionals. One of the most efficient methods to stay updated is through the **9to5Mac Daily** podcast. This daily audio summary offers listeners the leading stories and insights from the Apple ecosystem.

### What is 9to5Mac Daily?

9to5Mac Daily is a podcast that provides brief and informative overviews of the most impactful Apple news stories every weekday. Hosted by the 9to5Mac team, the podcast addresses a broad spectrum of topics, including product launches, software updates, industry trends, and more. The format is crafted to be quick and easily digestible, making it ideal for listeners on the move.

### Where to Listen

Listeners can conveniently access 9to5Mac Daily across various platforms. It 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)
– The [dedicated RSS feed](https://feedpress.me/9to5macdaily) for Overcast and other podcast applications.

### Features of the Podcast

Each installment of 9to5Mac Daily features:

– **Daily Recaps**: Summaries of the day’s most crucial stories.
– **Expert Insights**: Analysis and commentary from seasoned tech journalists.
– **Listener Engagement**: Opportunities for listeners to voice their thoughts and feedback via email.

### Subscription Options

For those looking to enhance their listening experience, 9to5Mac provides a subscription service known as **9to5Mac Daily Plus**. Subscribers benefit from:

– Ad-free versions of every episode
– Bonus content that delves deeper into specific subjects

### Stay Connected

Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the podcast to guarantee they receive new episodes as soon as they become available. Moreover, feedback is appreciated, and listeners can connect via email at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Ratings and reviews on platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Overcast facilitate others in discovering the show.

### Conclusion

9to5Mac Daily stands as a vital resource for anyone keen on Apple news. With its daily updates, expert insights, and listener interaction, it distinguishes itself as a leading podcast for tech aficionados. Whether you’re commuting, exercising, or simply seeking to stay updated, 9to5Mac Daily is the ideal companion for your daily routine.

### SwitchBot Wallet Finder: An In-Depth Review

The SwitchBot Wallet Finder is a small tracking device crafted to assist you in easily finding your wallet. Differing from bulkier tracking gadgets like Apple’s AirTag, the Wallet Finder is designed to blend effortlessly into your wallet, mimicking a regular credit card. This write-up explores its features, setup procedure, tracking functionality, and overall performance.

#### Current Promotion
The SwitchBot Wallet Finder card is now priced at **only $12.99**.

#### Installation Process
Configuring the SwitchBot Wallet Finder is simple. Although it comes with its own app, users can conveniently set it up via the Apple Find My app. To begin, launch the Find My app, select “Add Item,” and press the button on the Wallet Finder for a few seconds. You can then assign it a name and emoji for quick recognition. Once configured, the card can be slipped into any free pocket of your wallet.

#### Location Tracking Mechanism
The Wallet Finder leverages Bluetooth technology instead of GPS for location tracking. It sends out a low-energy Bluetooth signal detectable by nearby Apple devices, which securely transmit the location via the Find My network. Thus, even when you’re some distance away, as long as there are Apple devices in the vicinity, you can find your wallet on the map within the Find My app. There are no associated subscription costs, making it a budget-friendly tracking option.

The Find My network has demonstrated reliability, with the Wallet Finder functioning comparably to AirTags. If the item remains stationary, its location updates promptly, while moving items may see minor delays.

#### Locating Your Wallet with the Speaker
The Wallet Finder comes equipped with a built-in speaker that produces a sound when activated through the Find My app. Although it does not have the Precision Finding feature available in AirTags, the sound is sufficiently loud to assist in finding your wallet within your home. Users simply need to tap “Play Sound” in the app to hear the tone, facilitating the search for misplaced wallets.

Moreover, the Find My app supports Siri, enabling users to issue voice commands to find their wallet.

#### Safety and Tracking Capabilities
The SwitchBot Wallet Finder is intended for retrieving lost items and is not designed for tracking individuals. If the card becomes detached from its owner, it will sound an alert to notify those nearby. Additionally, it can activate alerts on nearby iPhones if it detects movement away from its owner.

It is crucial to understand that anyone in possession of the card can disable its Find My connection using a particular button sequence.

#### Final Thoughts
The SwitchBot Wallet Finder presents an efficient and economical option for anyone seeking to monitor their wallets. Its sleek design, user-friendliness, and compatibility with the Find My app render it a valuable asset for avoiding loss. However, it functions as a single-use device with a battery life of around three years, which means users will need to acquire a replacement once it runs out. Regardless of this limitation, the reassurance it provides in protecting valuable possessions makes it a worthwhile investment.

Apple has revealed major modifications to age classifications for applications on the App Store in Australia and Vietnam, scheduled to be implemented on June 18, 2026. This action is a response to new guidelines designed to improve online safety for young users, particularly in relation to social media, mental health, and gaming behaviors.

In Vietnam, applications will be given one of four specific age classifications derived from answers to an age rating survey in App Store Connect. The classifications will be 00+ (suitable for all ages), 12+, 16+, or 18+, and will appear on the product page of the app. This adjustment is in accordance with Article 38 of Vietnam Decree 147.

In Australia, the 15+ age classification will be eliminated from the App Store. Applications currently rated 15+ that feature particular content descriptors, such as unrestricted internet access, frequent medical or treatment information, and loot boxes, will be revised to a 16+ rating. Developers are encouraged to ensure their age rating survey responses accurately reflect the content of their app.

These modifications are part of Apple’s wider strategy to adhere to local regulations and enhance age verification procedures, which have gained significance as nations enact more stringent rules regarding app availability to young users. For further information, developers can consult Apple’s Developer blog.

Apple has submitted a petition to the Supreme Court seeking to overturn significant lower court decisions related to the App Store injunction in its ongoing dispute with Epic Games. The conflict started in 2020 when Epic Games circumvented Apple’s In-App Purchase (IAP) system in Fortnite, resulting in the game’s removal from the App Store and a subsequent lawsuit from Epic.

Although courts have generally supported Apple’s App Store framework and dismissed Epic’s wider antitrust allegations, a ruling in 2021 permitted developers to guide users to alternative payment methods outside of Apple’s IAP system. Apple revised its policies but instituted new limitations, resulting in a contempt finding against the company for failing to adhere to the original injunction.

Apple’s appeal to the Supreme Court presents two primary issues: whether it should have been deemed in contempt for levying commissions on external transactions, and the extent of the injunction, which Apple argues goes beyond the involved parties. The Ninth Circuit upheld the contempt ruling based on the “spirit” of the injunction, a determination Apple disputes, contending that a definitive prohibition is required for contempt findings.

Moreover, Apple asserts that the injunction impacts all developers on the U.S. App Store, which contradicts a previous Supreme Court ruling that curtailed broad injunctions. The Supreme Court has previously opted not to entertain earlier appeals from either side and has recently rejected Apple’s motion to suspend the case. Nonetheless, the current filing aims for a reassessment of the case, with a possible ruling from the Supreme Court anticipated by late June or early July.

iOS 27 is anticipated to be announced on June 8 at WWDC, with speculation suggesting that this software upgrade might discontinue support for several older iPhone models. As excitement grows for new capabilities, including a major redesign of Siri and alterations in design, users are left pondering if their devices will be eligible for the newest update.

Recent information hints that iOS 27 will exclude the following models:

– iPhone 11 Pro Max
– iPhone 11 Pro
– iPhone 11
– iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Reports indicate that iOS 27 will necessitate an iPhone 12 or newer, and while iOS 26 offered support for the second-generation iPhone SE, the new version will be limited to iPhone SE 3 or later models. This marks the second year in a row that Apple has ceased support for older iPhone models, after the iPhone XS series was left out of iOS 26.

While Apple will still issue updates for iOS 26, these will be restricted to bug fixes and security enhancements following the launch of iOS 27. It’s crucial to recognize that many of the expected features of iOS 27 may necessitate newer hardware, particularly the iPhone 15 Pro or more recent models, implying that even eligible devices may not support all new functionalities.

As the launch date nears, users are urged to evaluate if their existing iPhone model will be compatible with the forthcoming iOS 27 and its features.

A recent report from Omdia reveals that iPhone shipments in Latin America climbed by 31% year on year in Q1 2026, largely driven by the robust performance of the iPhone 17 and an outstanding 80% rise in shipments in Mexico.

As per Omdia, Samsung retained its top position in the Latin American smartphone arena, delivering 12.9 million units and achieving a 37% market share, reflecting a 9% improvement from the previous year. Xiaomi came in second with 6 million units and a 17% share, while Motorola secured third position with 4.9 million units and a 14% share. HONOR took fourth place with 3.4 million units and a 10% share, and Apple completed the top five with 1.8 million units, which accounts for a 5% market share.

Although Apple saw a slight increase of 400,000 shipments, its 31% yearly growth was the highest among leading brands, closely trailed by HONOR with a 30% gain. Overall, the smartphone market in the region recorded 34.8 million shipments, indicating a modest 3% growth. This growth was constrained by shortages and rising prices of memory components, which impacted the availability of affordable devices, as noted by Omdia’s Senior Analyst, Miguel Ángel Pérez.

The report emphasizes that the top five markets made up 73% of total shipments in Q1 2026, with Brazil and Mexico being the only regions where Apple had a notable presence. In Brazil, Apple secured a 5% market share, while in Mexico, the company rose to third place with a 16% share, thanks to the remarkable performance of the iPhone 17 series.

Looking forward, Omdia predicts that increasing memory costs will become more noticeable in retail prices starting late Q2 2026, especially for devices priced under $300. This scenario highlights the significance of higher-end models for Apple, as the iPhone mainly competes in segments that are less sensitive to price changes.

For more information, the complete report from Omdia can be found [here](https://omdia.tech.informa.com/pr/2026/may/latin-american-smartphone-market-grows-3percent-in-1q-2026-to-34point8-million-units-amid-rising-memory-costs).

OpenAI has recently revealed an update for its Codex desktop app for Mac, introducing a novel feature named Appshots, in addition to enhancements to current functionalities. This update is focused on enhancing user experience by offering more context during interactions with Codex.

### Appshots: Enhancing Contextual Interaction

The key feature of this update is Appshots, which enables users to effortlessly attach their app windows to a Codex thread. By pressing Command-Command on their Mac, users can provide Codex with both a screenshot and text from the application window, including content not visible on the screen. This feature is intended to streamline communication and improve the relevance of assistance provided by Codex.

### Upgraded Goal Mode

Alongside Appshots, the update features an upgraded /goal command. Once an experimental feature, this command now allows users to establish specific milestones for Codex to accomplish. Users can make use of goal mode across various platforms, including the Codex app, IDE Extension, or CLI. Codex will persist in working towards the specified goal, even over prolonged periods, enabling users to check in, guide the process, and pause tasks as necessary. A helpful tip from OpenAI is to start side chats to track progress without disrupting the main task.

### Improved In-App Browser and Shared Plugins

The in-app browser within Codex has also undergone improvements, becoming quicker and more accurate. It now includes advanced annotation modes and supports batch comments, boosting overall functionality for users. Furthermore, business users can now share custom plugins across teams, with enterprise users having the option to request early access to this feature.

### Enhanced Analytics for Business Users

OpenAI has broadened the analytics available to business and enterprise users, providing more comprehensive insights into active users, credits, tokens, runs, user leaderboards, lines of code produced, and plugin usage. This enhancement allows businesses to better monitor and manage their usage of Codex.

### Accessibility and Integration

The latest iteration of Codex for Mac is now available, featuring a significant enhancement: Codex can securely access apps on a Mac even when the device is locked. This functionality allows users to engage with Codex from their mobile devices without needing to unlock their Macs, increasing convenience and accessibility.

### Conclusion

With the launch of Appshots, an enhanced goal mode, and various improvements to its in-app browser and analytics, OpenAI’s Codex desktop app for Mac is set to deliver a more efficient and context-aware experience for users. This update signifies OpenAI’s dedication to continuously enhancing its tools and features, making them more user-friendly and effective for diverse applications.