MacRumors

The first macOS 27.3 developer beta includes an important security fix that prevents command-line tools from accepting eMudhra's compromised web certificates. Specifically, the update removes the affected certificates from the /etc/ssl/cert.pem file.

macOS 27.3 is not expected to be released to the public until December, but a macOS 27.2.1 update will likely arrive sooner with the same security fix.

If you do not wish to update your Mac at this time, you can opt to manually remove the affected certificates from your computer's /etc/ssl/cert.pem file by following the instructions outlined in Apple's support document related to this matter.

If you do not use command-line tools via Terminal or similar, you are already fully protected. Apple said it has been blocking eMudhra's compromised TLS web certificates since October 19 in Safari, Mail, and other apps that use Apple's networking and security frameworks, across all of its software platforms. The certificates are blocked automatically with no software update required, so most users do not need to take any action.

This all comes after a security researcher last month discovered that private cryptographic keys associated with eight of Indian company eMudhra's intermediate certificate authority (CA) certificates were weak. The compromised keys could have allowed attackers to impersonate legitimate websites, potentially putting users' sensitive information at risk. So far, no evidence has surfaced that indicates the keys were exploited maliciously.

Best Buy today has a big collection of Apple Watch Ultra 3 models for $549.00, down from $799.00. This is a massive $250 discount on the previous-generation device, and it represents a new all-time low price on these models.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

You'll find both Black and Natural Apple Watch Ultra 3 models on sale at this record low price at Best Buy, with both delivery and pick-up options available to shoppers. A similar deal is available on Milanese Loop models as well, priced at $649.00 at Best Buy and Amazon, down from $899.00.

For a detailed breakdown on the similarities and differences between the Ultra 3 and Ultra 4, you can check out our Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs. Ultra 4 Buyer's Guide. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Apple's press release for the HomePod mini 2 last month touted "rich sound" and "advanced computational audio," but it did not explicitly mention if the second-generation model has better sound compared to the original. A few early reviews of the speaker, however, said that audio quality has in fact improved.

Apple's tech specs pages for both the HomePod mini 2 and the original HomePod mini mention a "full-range driver" and "dual passive radiators for deep bass and crisp high frequencies," so the core speaker hardware is seemingly unchanged. However, the HomePod mini 2 is equipped with a much newer S10 chip that could use advanced algorithms to optimize sound in an improved manner compared to the S5 chip in the original model.

CNET's Tyler Lacoma said the HomePod mini 2 has "much better sound" than the original model.

From his article:

Playing the same audio at the same volume on each speaker, I repeatedly switched between them while streaming Apple Lossless audio via Apple Music. The results were always the same: The new Mini 2 had significantly greater range and louder, clearer audio than the first HomePod Mini. It wasn't just noticeable: It was a big enough difference to completely change my mind about a speaker that didn't seem worth it on paper. If you want sound that can actually fill a room without losing quality, the HomePod Mini 2 is by far the preferable pick.

Cult of Mac's Ed Hardy said likewise:

To my ears, the second-gen version sounds noticeably better. Especially the stronger bass. I did a side-by-side comparison with HomePod mini 2 and my original model, and the new model definitely came out ahead.

Another benefit of the S10 chip that Apple did not emphasize: Siri is apparently much faster for basic requests such as playing a song and smart home commands, according to The Verge's Jennifer Pattison Tuohy. However, this is based on what Apple now calls Siri Classic, as the more intelligent and personalized Siri AI will not be available on the HomePod mini 2 until a future software update, according to Apple.

From her article:

The Mini 2 is so much faster than the first-gen Mini, playing music in a few seconds and responding to smart home commands just as quickly. If you're fed up with standing over your HomePod waiting for it to finally do what you asked, then that alone is worth the upgrade.

The new HomePod mini was released last week, with U.S. pricing set at $149.

macOS 27.3 adds native Markdown rendering to Quick Look, allowing users to preview .md files with their formatting applied.

In the first beta of macOS 27.3, Quick Look displays styled headings, bold text, lists, and links when previewing Markdown documents. Selecting a file in Finder and pressing the Space bar brings up a readable preview, without requiring a separate editor or Quick Look extension.

The addition builds on Apple's broader adoption of Markdown. Notes gained Markdown import and export with iOS 26, while iOS 27 introduced Markdown copy and paste, allowing users to paste Markdown as formatted text or copy rich text in Markdown format.

Apple's new Siri AI app skills also use Markdown. According to Apple's developer documentation, developers can bundle SKILL.md files with their apps to explain how ‌Siri‌ should handle tasks involving app actions.

Apple released the first macOS 27.3 developer beta yesterday.

Amazon's $9 pre-order discount on the HomeView has returned for the Space Gray color, allowing you to get the home hub for $289.99, down from $299.00.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Although only a $9 discount, this is still biggest deal we've seen on the HomeView, and as of writing only Amazon is offering any sort of discount on the device. Amazon's delivery estimates have begun stretching into late November, past the HomeView's launch date of November 13.

For more pre-order info on Apple's newest Macs and iPad mini, be sure to check out our dedicated post. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Apple will likely consolidate its high-end MacBook Pro lineup around touchscreen models, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Writing in his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman questioned whether Apple would keep updating its high-end ‌MacBook Pro‌ models without touchscreens. The company has retained the mini-LED M5 Pro and M5 Max models alongside the new touchscreen versions, which cost $400 more.

Gurman cited the resources required to support parallel product lines across development, production, and promotion. Given the price difference, he expects the two offerings to converge, although he did not specify when Apple might stop developing the non-touch models.

Gurman added that Apple plans to introduce another generation of touchscreen MacBook Pros in 2027. These machines will use M7 Pro and M7 Max processors with additional hardware capabilities for AI. He previously said the chip upgrade would arrive toward the end of 2027.

The redesign will also reach the entry-level 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, according to Gurman. Apple plans to offer an M7 version with reduced weight, a thinner enclosure, and narrower borders around the display, similar to the new high-end models. Gurman first reported plans for the redesigned base model in July, when he outlined a potential launch in the first half of 2027.

Apple unveiled its first touchscreen MacBook Pros last week, retaining the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips introduced in March. The redesign pairs OLED displays and Dynamic Island with a lighter, slightly thinner enclosure and a revised cooling system that channels warm air away from the screen.

Apple has added an explicit ban on using confidential information to bet on prediction markets to its insider trading policy, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The policy was filed on Tuesday as an exhibit to Apple's annual report on Form 10-K, which is also available on Apple's Investor Relations website. The new version is marked "Updated October 2026," while an earlier version that Apple filed in 2024 doesn't mention prediction markets at all.

If you haven't heard of them, prediction markets are basically platforms where people buy and sell contracts that pay out depending on whether a future event happens.

The new clause in Apple's policy is titled "No Trading in Prediction Markets Based on Confidential Information," and it warns employees not to "participate in 'prediction markets' or similar platforms to wager, bet, trade, buy or sell contracts based on the outcome of future events," when doing so involves confidential information obtained through their work at Apple.

It's not a blanket ban, however. The restriction applies only when confidential information is used, but that also includes information about other companies, such as Apple's suppliers, manufacturers, vendors, customers and carrier partners. Apple also says employees must not share confidential information to others who may go on to use it on such markets.

Apple's insider trading policy applies to directors, officers, employees, independent contractors and consultants, as well as to family members who live with them or are financially dependent on them.

Apple's upcoming iPhone 18e will primarily focus on a chip upgrade, with few major new features expected, according to the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital."

In a new post on Weibo, the leaker said that a new chip is the only upgrade they can currently confirm for the device. They also claimed that the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will share some manufacturing processes, while tempering expectations for substantial changes.

Fixed Focus Digital drew attention to their correct prediction that the iPhone 17e would retain a notch, despite other sources insisting it would gain the Dynamic Island. The reference could hint that the iPhone 18e will also miss out on the feature, although the leaker did not explicitly say this.

The claim follows a recent report from fellow Weibo leaker "Digital Chat Station," who said the iPhone 18e will feature an A20 chip, a 6.12-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, and a single 48-megapixel rear camera. That report also suggested a front-facing camera upgrade was possible.

The A20 is expected to be similar to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo's A20 Pro chip, but feature one fewer GPU core just like its predecessor. The iPhone 18e is expected to launch alongside the standard ‌iPhone 18‌ and the iPhone Air 2 in spring 2027.

Google Maps has been updated with improved support for the iPhone Duo's displays, so that the app now fills the foldable iPhone's inner and outer screens rather than leaving unused space along the edge.

The change comes with version 26.44.4, which is available on the App Store. Google doesn't mention Duo-specific changes in its release notes, but the updated support is plainly visible.

The previous version, 26.43.1, was only partially adapted to the device, and there was still a vertical black border along the right side of both the inner and outer screens, where the circular status bar lives.

Now the map extends across the inner screen, with the search field in the upper-left corner, the Explore, You, and Contribute tabs in a panel on the left, and map controls on the right.

Google Maps follows a growing number of apps adapting to Apple's foldable iPhone. Earlier this week, Zoom and several Microsoft apps gained Duo optimization, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote.

Apple today started testing iOS 27.3, the biggest update to iOS 27 since it launched in September. iOS 27.3 includes some features Apple showed off earlier this year, and it adds all-new capabilities.

Safari

Safari has a Vertical Tabs layout option that can be activated in Safari settings, along with an Adaptive Dark Mode for websites that don't have a dark mode design option.

Siri AI

Siri AI can do more in and across apps, with Apple adding a long list of new actions.

In Mail, ‌Siri‌ can unsubscribe you from mailing lists and undo recently sent messages. In Weather, ‌Siri‌ can add locations to your weather list, or control weather notifications. In Safari, ‌Siri‌ can clear browsing history, manage tabs and windows, save articles to a Reading List, and close duplicate tabs. In Files, ‌Siri‌ can organize content, delete files you haven't accessed for a set period of time, and more.

There are new ‌Siri‌ actions across Calendar, Files, Journal, Mail, Maps, Messages, Music, Notes, Photos, Preview, Reminders, Safari, Shortcuts, and Weather. You can find out what's new by asking ‌Siri‌ what it can do in each app.

Apple is also expanding ‌Siri‌ AI to Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Turkish, and Norwegian, and adding a Developer Preview that lets any developer integrate their app with ‌Siri‌ AI.

Any app can now bring its content and actions directly into ‌Siri‌ AI using App Intents. ‌Siri‌ AI can complete any custom actions developers implement, and there are skills available for teaching ‌Siri‌ AI to combine several actions into a single experience.

New Health App

The redesigned Health app is back in iOS 27.3. It has new Insights and Longevity tabs that show more information about your health and fitness metrics.

The Insights tab includes your most recent health data, like Activity Rings, heart rate, sleep score, and vitals. Apple Intelligence will use that information to offer Personal Guidance. The Health app will be able to make suggestions based on your goals and what kinds of activities you do.

The Health app's Longevity tab looks at health data over time. It assesses you across seven categories: heart health, sleep, mental wellbeing, movement health, metabolic health, hearing, and nutrition. It also has a Health Age feature that uses info like resting heart rate, VO2 max, HRV, sleep, and biomarkers from blood work to calculate how your health metrics compare to your actual age. Health Age relies on health data collected from the Apple Watch, plus it incorporates fitness assessments you can take at home with tracking via the iPhone's camera.

iPhone Duo Reachability

Reachability is now available on the iPhone Duo. You can swipe left from the left edge or right from the right edge of the device's outer display to bring content closer to where your thumb is for one-handed use.

Reachability can be turned on in the Settings app by going to Accessibility, selecting Touch, and toggling on the option.

iPhone Duo Keyboard

The keyboard on the ‌iPhone Duo‌'s front display has been tweaked. The emoji and number keys have been swapped, as have the microphone and return keys.

Keys are slightly taller and thinner, the space bar is wider, and the letters on each key are smaller and not as bold.

StandBy

Apple is making the StandBy features introduced with the ‌iPhone Duo‌ available on all iPhone models that can run ‌iOS 27‌. There are updated versions of the Analog and Digital Clock faces with more customization options for color and complications, an updated ‌Photos‌ face, new Calendar and Weather faces, and the option to create multiple versions of each face type and swipe between them.

Live Rewind and Siri Recap

Live Rewind and Siri Recap are available in watchOS 27.3, but iOS 27.3 is also required. The features can be enabled in the Watch app on the iPhone.

Apple Intelligence for China

‌Apple Intelligence‌ is now live in China. It includes initial ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features like Live Translation, Writing Tools, Visual Intelligence, email and notification summaries, ‌Photos‌ Clean Up, and Genmoji.

‌Siri‌ AI is not available, nor are the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features added in ‌iOS 27‌.

China Earthquake Alerts

iOS 27.3 appears to add support for safety alerts. Apple has been working with the China Earthquake Networks Center to add early warning earthquake alerts for users in China.

Selfie Sing

Apple Music has a new "Selfie Sing" option that lets users capture a video of themselves singing karaoke. The feature can be found by searching for the ‌Apple Music‌ Sing playlist in ‌Apple Music‌, selecting a song, and then tapping on the camera icon to start a recording.

Karaoke videos can be adjusted wit voice modification options and shared with friends or on social media.

Freeform

In the Freeform app, there are new tools for generating custom shapes and adding images. Apple says users can create custom, editable shapes with text descriptions. It's a feature limited to Apple Creator Studio subscribers.

There are also new styles for formatting text, and an option to choose a color for the background of a board.

Control Center

The VPN toggle in Control Center now lets you quickly switch between VPNs. Before now, the toggle just turned the last used VPN on or off.

App Library

The "Cancel" button in the App Library search interface is now an X button.

Apple Fitness+

iOS 27.3 includes a new Gym Strength workout in Apple Fitness+. Gym Strength is a custom fitness option that generates a four-week plan based on a user's goals, experience, schedule, and equipment.

Safari Settings

In the Advanced section of Safari settings, there's an option to "Use Global Privacy Control."

Weather

The tiny slider that lets you swap between Condition views in the Weather app now uses Liquid Glass. Apple has also updated how next-hour precipitation looks.

Australia

RCS support is available for Australian carrier Telstra in iOS 27.3.

iOS 27.3 adds a new "Selfie Sing" feature in Apple Music that lets users record themselves while singing a song.

There's a dedicated Selfie Sing playlist and a selfie camera view that shows lyrics on the screen while also recording a video. Apple has a description of the feature:

There are some songs everyone knows by heart, the ones that come on and suddenly the whole room's singing along. This playlist is loaded with them, each one ready to become your next Selfie Sing. Pick your favorite, record a Selfie Sing, add mic effects to your voice, then save or share your video selfie with anyone you like. No pitch-perfect anything required–just you, the song, and the moment. Oh, and make sure you've updated to the latest iOS before getting started.

After selecting a song, you can tap on the camera icon to start a Selfie Sing. Tapping the red button begins a recording, and the lyrics start to scroll by. When a song is finished, there are options to change the volume of your voice or add an effect. Options include Megaphone, Echo, Concert Hall, and Studio. Videos can then be saved to the Photos library or shared.

Songs on the Selfie Sing playlist include "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper, "Like a Virgin" by Madonna, "Wonderwall" by Oasis, "Hungry Like the Wolf" by Duran Duran, and "Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears.

There isn't an option to take a Selfie Sing recording on every ‌Apple Music‌ song, but that could be something coming in the future. Selfie Sing appears to be an extension of the ‌Apple Music‌ Sing karaoke feature that came out in iOS 16.2.

The Selfie Sing playlist shows up on iPhones running iOS 27.2, but the option to activate the front-facing camera is only available on devices running the iOS 27.3 beta.

Just over a week after jailbreaking an iPhone Duo on launch day, hacker team Calif is back with another jailbreak demonstration. This time, the group has jailbroken an iPhone in Lockdown Mode, and the jailbreak appears to persist across an iOS update.

Calif shared a video of a jailbroken iPhone 18 Pro with Lockdown Mode on. From there, iOS 27.2 is installed, and the jailbreak remains in place after the update. It isn't clear whether the jailbreak could be installed on a device already running iOS 27.2.

Apple describes Lockdown Mode as "extreme protection" for individuals who might be targeted by sophisticated mercenary spyware. Lockdown Mode disables a long list of features, blocking most message attachment types, limiting web technologies, blocking FaceTime calls from unfamiliar callers, disabling invites for Apple services, and removing location information from photos.

The video shows a malicious PDF sent to the target iPhone using AirDrop to initiate the jailbreak, with the file accepted by the user. Calif hasn't shared additional information, and the exact jailbreak steps are unknown.

Earlier this year, Apple told TechCrunch that it was not aware of any successful mercenary spyware attacks against an iPhone in Lockdown Mode.

Calif previously said it was disclosing vulnerabilities to Apple and did not plan to release a jailbreak tool for end users.

iOS 27 added a Siri tab to the Camera app on the iPhone 15 Pro and newer for convenient access to Visual Intelligence. Starting with iPadOS 27.3, which is in beta starting today, that feature has expanded to iPad Pro and iPad Air models with the M1 chip and newer, as well as the iPad mini models with the A17 Pro and A20 Pro chips.

When you switch to Siri mode in the Camera app on supported iPhone or iPad models, you can get information about things around you. On the iPad, the feature works with the Apple Pencil, meaning you can take a photo and then circle an object with the Apple Pencil and use Visual Intelligence to receive information about the object.

Visual Intelligence was already available on the iPad, so the addition of a Siri tab in the Camera app mainly provides a new way of accessing it.

iPadOS 27.3 is expected to be released in December.

Apple is planning an Apple Watch Activity Challenge for Veterans Day, which takes place next Wednesday in the United States. Apple Watch owners are tasked with doing any workout for 11 minutes or more on November 11.

Apple Watch owners who complete the challenge will win an Apple Watch activity award in the Fitness app.

Earn this award on November 11 by doing any workout for 11 minutes or more. Record your time with the Workout app or any app that adds workouts to Health.

Like all of Apple's Activity Challenges, the Veterans Day challenge will reward users with animated stickers that can be used in the Messages app.

Apple does a Veterans Day Activity Challenge each year, and also often offers Veterans Day-themed content in the App Store, Apple TV app, Books app, and more.

We're getting closer to Black Friday, which lands on Friday, November 27 this year. In the lead-up to the shopping holiday, we're tracking a few lowest-ever prices on Apple's most popular Macs, including the M5 MacBook Air, MacBook Neo, and the new Mac mini and Mac Studio.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

If you're looking for something other than Macs, be sure to visit our Black Friday Roundup for all of the best deals and discounts happening this season. For more Apple-specific devices currently on sale, our main post on the best current Apple Black Friday deals is the best place to look.

MacBook Air

Amazon is taking $199 off nearly every model of the M5 MacBook Air this week, with matches of the best post-hike prices we've ever seen on the computer. Prices now start at $1,099.99 for the 512GB 13-inch model and $1,299.99 for the 512GB 15-inch model.

For the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air models, prices start with the 16GB/512GB model for $1,299.99, down from $1,499.00. You can also get the 16GB/1TB model for $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00, all $199 off and the best prices we've seen in months.

Mac Mini

Apple's new Mac mini has had one of the most consistent discounts over the past few weeks, and these $120-$150 markdowns have continued into Black Friday season. Prices start at $779.00 for the entry-level model, and currently include every M6 model, plus the M5 Pro model.

Mac Studio

Additionally, one of the best early Black Friday deals is on the M5 Max Mac Studio with 36GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, on sale for $2,299.00, down from $2,499.00.

MacBook Neo

Amazon has introduced a rare discount on the MacBook Neo, discounting three of the entry-level 256GB models down to $669.22, from $699.00. This sale is available in Silver, Citrus, and Blush, with an estimated delivery date of November 6 for most models.

This is nearly a $30 discount on the MacBook Neo, and it's now the best price we've seen on the computer since Apple's price increases over the summer. As of writing, we're only tracking discounts on the 256GB model, but if markdowns arrive for the 512GB model with Touch ID we'll update this article.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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With iOS 27.3, Apple is adding a new Gym Strength workout to Apple Fitness+. It's a custom fitness option that generates a four-week plan based on a user's goals, experience, schedule, and equipment.

People of all experience levels can use the feature, selecting workout days, areas of the body to focus on, and session length. Workouts have recommendations for exercises, reps, sets, and load, plus short video demonstrations from Apple Fitness+ trainers.

Workouts each week are adapted based on progress from the prior week. Gym Strength is available on iPhone and iPad, and Apple Watch wearers will be able to see and log exercises, reps, and load, plus track workout metrics.

Gym Strength is currently available in the iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, and watchOS 27.3 updates for Apple Fitness+ subscribers.

iOS 27.3 will expand new StandBy features first introduced on the iPhone Duo to all iPhone models compatible with the update, according to Apple.

StandBy mode makes it easier to view information at a glance while your iPhone is placed on a charger and in a landscape position. It effectively turns an iPhone into a bedside clock with some extra details. On the iPhone Duo, StandBy also works when the device is folded like a book or a tent, even when it is not charging.

The new StandBy features coming to the iPhone 11 and newer:

• Updated versions of the Analog and Digital Clock faces with more options to customize the color and complications on them
• An updated Photos face that lets users pick Shared Albums
• New faces, including Calendar and Weather
• The ability to create multiple versions of each type of face and swipe between them

iOS 27.3 also introduces vertical tabs in Safari, reintroduces Apple's redesigned Health app, enables some Apple Intelligence features in China, and more.

The first iOS 27.3 developer beta was released earlier today, and Apple said the update will be released to the public in December.