Tag: Source: 9to5mac.com

iPadOS 26.2 Beta 2 Now Released: Essential Features and Improvements to Expect

Apple has recently unveiled iPadOS 26.2 developer beta 2, which comes roughly a week after developers were given access to the initial beta version. Here’s what’s new up to this point.

## New Features of iPadOS 26.2 So Far

iPadOS 26.2 represents the upcoming significant software update for iPad. Based on the initial beta, it appears to be a release loaded with features.

Last week’s iPadOS 26.2 beta 1 introduced a variety of new functionalities, and today’s update is anticipated to bring even additional modifications, as we are still early in the beta phase. Apple generally rolls out new features and enhancements during the initial betas of a software version, then shifts its focus to stability and performance in subsequent betas.

We will keep you informed about any new discoveries in today’s beta 2 update.

If you are operating the developer beta, you should find iPadOS 26.2 beta 2 within Settings ⇾ General ⇾ Software Update on your iPad.

Public beta users do not have any new updates to install today, but it is likely that Apple will release public beta 2 within the next day or so.

Have you found anything new in iPadOS 26.2 beta 2? Share your thoughts in the comments.

### Top iPad Accessories

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macOS Tahoe 26.2 Beta 2 Now Available for Download

**macOS Tahoe 26.2 Developer Beta 2: Fresh Features and Installation Instructions**

Apple has unveiled the second developer beta of macOS Tahoe 26.2, just a week following the release of the initial beta version. This update showcases a new feature designed to improve the video calling experience.

### New Edge Light Effect Launched in Beta 2

Contrary to the previous beta, which was launched later than other developer betas, macOS 26.2 beta 2 is released in tandem with its counterparts. The first beta lacked any user-facing features, leading to speculation that Apple was focusing on stability and bug resolutions. However, beta 2 introduces an intriguing new “Edge Light” effect. This feature provides a virtual illumination around the borders of the Mac display during video calls, enhancing the visual experience for users.

In addition to the Edge Light effect, Apple is anticipated to further develop system-level MCP support and lay the groundwork for integrating third-party AI providers within the Image Playground, extending beyond just ChatGPT. The build number for this beta release is 25C5037j.

### Steps to Install the New Beta

For developers keen on testing the new features of macOS Tahoe 26.2 beta 2, here’s a detailed guide on how to install it:

1. **Backup your Mac**: Make sure all vital data is stored safely before proceeding.
2. **Open System Settings**: Access the System Settings on your Mac.
3. **Go to General ⇾ Software Update**: Find the Software Update section.
4. **Click the ‘i’ icon next to Beta Updates**: This will reveal the beta update options.
5. **Select the macOS Developer Tahoe Beta**: From the dropdown menu, select the macOS Developer Tahoe Beta.
6. **Hit ‘Done’**: Confirm your choice to initiate the update process.

### Conclusion

With the launch of the Edge Light effect and continuous enhancements to system functionality, macOS Tahoe 26.2 beta 2 represents a meaningful update for both developers and users. As always, feedback from users trialing the beta is crucial, and Apple invites sharing any insights or modifications observed during the beta testing period.

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Beta 2 Launch for tvOS 26.2, watchOS 26.2, and Other Updates Now Available

# Apple Launching tvOS 26.2 Beta 2 and More for Developers

Apple has commenced the deployment of beta updates for its diverse platforms, including the second developer beta for tvOS 26.2, watchOS 26.2, visionOS 26.2, and others. This follows the introduction of the 26.2 beta cycle, which brought major updates for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.

## Main Features in Recent Updates

The latest updates for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS have introduced several enhancements, especially in the Podcasts app, a new Reminders feature, and a revamped Apple News app. These upgrades aim to improve user experience across Apple’s core devices.

### Highlights of tvOS 26.2 Beta 1

The initial beta of tvOS 26.2 rolled out two significant features for Apple TV 4K users:

1. **Profile Creation**: Users can now set up profiles without requiring an Apple Account.
2. **Content Limitations**: The TV app now respects content limits established for children’s profiles, providing a safer viewing environment for younger viewers.

### Updates in watchOS 26.2

The watchOS 26.2 beta featured modifications to the Sleep Score grading system, enhancing the way users monitor their sleep habits and overall health metrics.

### Emphasis on Bug Fixes and Performance Improvement

In addition to the new features, Apple’s updates have largely concentrated on resolving bugs and enhancing performance across all platforms. This is customary in beta releases, as developers strive to polish the user experience ahead of the public launch.

## What’s Ahead?

With the release of beta 2 for tvOS 26.2, visionOS 26.2, HomePod 26.2, and more, there is the possibility of further features being revealed as the beta cycle continues. Users and developers are encouraged to delve into these updates and report any new discoveries.

As the beta cycle progresses, Apple is anticipated to roll out a public beta 2 version soon, provided no major bugs are found.

## Community Involvement

Apple fans are welcome to share their experiences and insights regarding the fresh beta updates in the comments section. This community input is vital for both users and developers as they navigate the newest changes.

## Closing

Apple’s persistent dedication to enhancing its software through beta updates guarantees that users receive the optimal experience. With the latest features and enhancements, developers and users can anticipate a more fluid interaction with their devices.

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OpenAI Unveils GPT-5.1 for ChatGPT Featuring Improved Warmth and Smarter Capabilities

**OpenAI Unveils GPT-5.1: Advancements in Communication and Intelligence**

In August, OpenAI launched GPT-5, signaling a major upgrade to its ChatGPT model. Now, only three months later, the organization has released GPT-5.1, which claims to be “more personable, smarter, and superior in following your directives.”

### Instant and Thoughtful Enhancements

OpenAI highlights that GPT-5.1 improves both the communication approach and the intelligence of the model. The enhancements are divided into two primary models:

– **GPT-5.1 Instant**: This is the most frequently used model, crafted to be more conversational and responsive to user guidelines. The outputs produced by this model are meant to sound less like scripted information and more like authentic writing, with a warmer tone now set as the standard.

– **GPT-5.1 Thinking**: This sophisticated reasoning model has been optimized for speed, enabling quicker responses to straightforward tasks while being more comprehensive on complex issues. It also adopts the warmer tone by default.

OpenAI has implemented new features that permit users to choose the tone of responses, providing options like friendly, efficient, professional, candid, and quirky. This functionality seeks to improve user engagement by personalizing outputs to individual tastes.

A significant enhancement in the Instant model is its improved adherence to user instructions. For example, the model can now respond to prompts with a defined word count, addressing a typical annoyance users faced with earlier versions.

### Accessibility

GPT-5.1 is being made available to paying customers on Pro, Plus, Go, and Business plans, with the rollout expected to extend over the coming days. Users without a subscription and those not logged in will receive access to the new model following the initial rollout phase. OpenAI has assured that GPT-5 will continue to be accessible for at least three months for paying users, responding to feedback regarding the sudden discontinuation of previous models after GPT-5 was introduced.

Furthermore, Apple has announced that ChatGPT will incorporate GPT-5 via Siri with Apple Intelligence beginning with iOS 26, with a transition to GPT-5.1 expected in an upcoming software update.

For additional information, you can view the complete GPT-5.1 announcement from OpenAI

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Crucial Internal Wallpapers for iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max

**iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max Internal Wallpapers Unveiled by Basic Apple Guy**

After two months of dedicated effort, Basic Apple Guy has unveiled the eagerly awaited iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max Internal Wallpapers. Here’s how you can obtain them.

### Almost 3,000 Layers for Flawless Replicas

It has become customary that whenever Apple introduces a new product, Basic Apple Guy crafts breathtaking, flawless wallpapers showcasing the internals of the new device. In recent weeks, Basic Apple Guy has shared updates on social media, hinting at the new iPhone Internal Wallpaper collection.

Now, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max Internal Wallpapers can be found in nine distinct shades, and you can download them [here](https://basicappleguy.com/basicappleblog/iphone-17-pro-internals-wallpapers), where you can also assist with a $4.99 gift to support their efforts.

The wallpapers are exceptionally intricate, as Basic Apple Guy constructs the artwork based on Apple’s own repair guides.

Here’s Basic Apple Guy:

> “The entire process consumes a significant amount of time; each wallpaper demands dozens of hours to finalize. I begin with an 800×1500 image from Apple’s repair manual and scrutinize every detail to comprehend how the components are organized, layered, and interconnected before reproducing them in Sketch as accurately as possible. Each element is arranged, drawn, curved, layered, and textured by hand. Some features take mere seconds; others, such as the perimeter railing, can nearly take an hour. It is an ongoing process of adjusting, layering, and fine-tuning almost 3,000 layers to ensure precision and that they fit harmoniously into the overall design. And once I complete those 3,000 layers for one phone, I open a fresh document and begin anew on the second Pro device.”

You can discover more about the creation process in their [blog post](https://basicappleguy.com/basicappleblog/iphone-17-pro-internals-wallpapers). Moreover, Basic Apple Guy intends to develop an internals wallpaper pack for the iPhone Air next.

### Accessory Offers on Amazon

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“Uncover the Advantages of This Easy Apple Shortcut”

### Harnessing the Potential of Apple’s Shortcuts App: A Revolutionary Tool for Accessing App Settings

The Shortcuts app by Apple has emerged as a crucial resource for iPhone users, particularly with the new enhancements introduced in iOS 26. While the app presents numerous intricate automations, many users discover that the most straightforward shortcuts can deliver the greatest advantages. One such shortcut, recently revealed by tech aficionado Quinn Nelson, simplifies the procedure for accessing an app’s settings, making it faster and more efficient.

#### The Difficulty of Navigating Settings

With last year’s overhaul of the iPhone’s Settings app, users have faced increased challenges in finding specific app settings. The conventional approach required digging through several menus: Settings > Apps >

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watchOS 26 Brings Three Key Enhancements for Apple Watch Faces

The watch face ranks as one of the key features of Apple Watch, and watchOS 26 brings significant enhancements to watch faces in three primary areas. Here’s what’s fresh.

## #1: Brand new watch faces

As is common with major updates to watchOS, Apple’s latest version introduces a collection of [brand new watch faces](https://9to5mac.com/2025/09/09/watchos-26-adds-four-brand-new-watch-faces-including-an-ultra-exclusive/).

watchOS 26 presents four new faces in total. According to Apple’s release notes:

– **Exactograph** is a contemporary reinterpretation of a classic regulator watch that differentiates hours, minutes, and seconds for improved time accuracy.
– **Flow** features Liquid Glass numerals that bend a liquid orb of color in response to the movements of your wrist.
– **Waypoint** serves as a real-time compass, showing your position relative to saved locations in Maps or points of interest (Available on Apple Watch Ultra).
– **Hermès Faubourg Party** comprises animated shorts that emerge based on the time of day or motions featuring various characters (Available on Apple Watch Hermès).

It’s always exciting to have additional watch face selections available, and I’m particularly fond of the new Flow and Waypoint faces introduced this year.

## #2: Enhancements to existing faces

Several watch faces you’re already familiar with received updates in watchOS 26 as well.

The Photos face, regarded by Apple as its most popular choice, [received two enhancements this year](https://9to5mac.com/2025/10/29/watchos-26-upgrades-apple-watchs-most-popular-face-in-two-ways/):

1. Liquid Glass time
2. Featured photos option

In keeping with the system-wide Liquid Glass aesthetic, there’s a new ‘Glass’ color option for the face’s clock that allows more of your photo to shine through. Selecting ‘Featured’ as your image source guarantees that many of the best photos in your library will be displayed.

In addition to the Photos face upgrades, Apple has also incorporated ticking seconds functionality with the always-on display into [many more faces](https://9to5mac.com/2025/06/09/watchos-26-more-apple-watch-faces-using-series-10s-upgraded-display/).

Always-on seconds functionality was introduced last year with Apple Watch Series 10, but only a limited number of watch faces supported it at the time. Now, it has expanded to a wider range of hardware and software.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Series 11 both support ticking seconds in always-on mode, and the roster of compatible faces [has significantly increased](https://9to5mac.com/2025/06/09/watchos-26-more-apple-watch-faces-using-series-10s-upgraded-display/).

## #3: Watch face ‘hints’

Upon installing watchOS 26 on your Apple Watch, you may start to notice a distinctive UI element on your watch face.

A new feature called ‘hints’ will show up at the bottom of your screen, resembling a Liquid Glass complication.

Hints provide recommended apps and actions, linking them to the Smart Stack.

Here’s how they function, [according to Apple](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/watchos-26-delivers-more-personalized-ways-to-stay-active-and-connected/):

> In watchOS 26, the Smart Stack refines its prediction algorithms by integrating additional contextual data, sensor data, and user routine data to generate Smart Stack hints, which serve as proactive prompts for useful actionable suggestions. Crafted from Liquid Glass, Smart Stack hints will appear on the display as soft visual signals. For instance, a hint for Backtrack might pop up when a user is in a secluded area without connectivity, or a hint for a Pilates session may surface when a user arrives at a studio at the usual hour.

The Smart Stack has previously provided suggested data and actionable prompts, but you would need to scroll through your Apple Watch’s Digital Crown to access them manually.

By placing these suggestions directly on the watch face, Apple aims to make them more visible and, hopefully, more useful.

Which new watch face features from watchOS 26 have you been enjoying on your Apple Watch? Share your thoughts in the comments.

### Best Apple Watch accessories

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Apple TV is anticipated to launch a new series featuring Jason Momoa, as per reports.

**‘Nomad’ Poised to Become Jason Momoa’s Next Significant Apple TV Series**

Jason Momoa is reinforcing his position as a key player on Apple TV, with the revelation of a new series named *Nomad*. This signifies Momoa’s third major endeavor with the streaming platform, succeeding his performances in *See* and *Chief of War*.

When Apple TV debuted in 2019, one of its cornerstone series was *See*, which featured Momoa in a dystopian environment. Despite not reaching the projected success, the show cultivated a loyal following and improved with each successive season. The series wrapped up with its third season in 2022.

Following a short break, Momoa made his comeback to Apple TV with *Chief of War*, which launched earlier this year. The series received praise from critics, achieving a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes and consistently ranking high among content on Apple TV.

At this moment, Apple is crafting *Nomad*, a drama co-developed by Kurt Sutter, famed for *Sons of Anarchy*, alongside Chris Collins. The series will delve into the brutal underbelly of New Zealand’s outlaw biker scene, concentrating on a warrior torn between two fates and lives. Collins, who boasts an impressive background including *John Wick Chapter 3* and *The Wire*, will take on the role of showrunner.

Although no formal announcement has been made about the series, it remains in its developmental infancy. Nevertheless, with a robust creative team and Momoa’s involvement, *Nomad* is anticipated to be a prominent addition to Apple TV’s roster.

Apple TV is offered for $12.99 per month and features popular shows like *Ted Lasso*, *Severance*, *The Morning Show*, *Silo*, and *Shrinking*.

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9to5Mac Daily: November 12, 2025 – Launch of Digital IDs in Apple Wallet

### 9to5Mac Daily: Your Daily Apple News Hub

In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, keeping up with the newest news and trends is essential, particularly for Apple fans. **9to5Mac Daily** functions as a vital podcast that provides daily summaries of the most important happenings within the Apple community. With fresh episodes recorded each weekday, listeners can effortlessly stay informed about advancements in the tech scene.

#### How to Access the Podcast

Listeners are able to access **9to5Mac Daily** on multiple platforms, including:
– [iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts application](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 additional podcast apps.

#### Sponsorship and Deals

The podcast is brought to you by **Backblaze**, a cloud storage solution that guarantees users won’t lose their data. Listeners can apply the code “**9to5daily**” during checkout for a 20% discount or can explore the service for free.

#### Highlights from Episodes

Every episode of **9to5Mac Daily** touches on a variety of subjects important to Apple users, including product updates, software launches, and news from the industry. The podcast not only educates but also captivates listeners with conversations about the significance of these changes.

#### Benefits of Subscribing

By subscribing to **9to5Mac Daily Plus**, listeners can gain:
– Ad-free episodes
– Access to exclusive content

This subscription model improves the listening experience, enabling fans to delve deeper into the issues that interest them the most.

#### Engaging with the Community

Listeners are invited to share their opinions and feedback. They can connect via email at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or rate the podcast on services like [Apple Podcasts](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1331816080?at=10laZc&pt=11l8808) and

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Apple Store Unveils Lengthened Holiday Return Policy for Every Item

Apple is preparing for the holiday season, which includes rolling out a yearly change: an expanded holiday return window for products purchased at the Apple Store.

### Starting today, returns for product purchases are available until early January

Today, Apple is introducing holiday decorations in retail locations and the online Apple Store.

In addition to these festive updates, the company has launched its holiday return policy.

According to Apple’s website:

> Products eligible for return at the Apple Store Online that are received between November 12, 2025, and December 25, 2025, may be returned until January 8, 2026. Please be aware that all other terms and conditions stated in the Apple Store Online Sales and Refunds Policy remain applicable to these products. iPhone purchases financed through carriers like T-Mobile or Verizon do not qualify and follow the standard return policy. All purchases made after December 25, 2025, are subject to the Standard Return Policy.

Typically, Apple Store purchases allow for a 14-day return window. However, during the holiday season, Apple extends this return period.

Purchasing a new product at the Apple Store today means, with the new January 8 cutoff, you will have almost two full months for a return.

The aim is to enable holiday shoppers to start gift buying without concerns about the recipients’ ability to return items if needed.

As always, Apple Store returns feature the following limited exceptions, many of which have become largely obsolete in 2025 except for gift cards:

– Apple Gift Cards (includes previous generation Apple Store Gift Cards and App Store & iTunes Gift Cards)
– Opened software
– Electronic Software Downloads
– Software Up-to-Date Program Products (software upgrades)
– Apple Developer products (membership, technical support incidents, WWDC tickets)

If you’re looking for a new Apple product, make sure to explore our detailed 2025 gift guide for the best bargains.

### Best iPhone accessories

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