Things have been quiet on the Apple Watch front lately. Too quiet. In fact, sales are down for the second year in a row, and just last quarter, Xiaomi overtook Apple to become the top wearable brand worldwide. The good news is that the Apple Watch line is due for a refresh. Here’s what’s coming. Apple Watch SE 3 (or what if: Apple Watch Series 11e?) It’s been almost three years since Apple announced the Apple Watch SE 2. It kept the same overall design from the original SE, got a 30% larger display, and gained the S8 SiP processor, giving it a 20% performance bump. This September, Apple is expected to announce its successor. Hardware and software While rumors have been circulating for the better part of the last several months about Apple replacing the current aluminum case with a “rigid plastic” case, these plans seem to have been shelved. While there haven’t been leaks regarding an increase in case or screen size, it would make sense to expect the options to go from 40/44mm to the current 42/46mm, or a bezel reduction, which would give it more screen real estate while maintaining the footprint. Expect also a SiP upgrade, bringing it on par with the upcoming Series 11 lineup, a much welcome upgrade against the current Series 8-era S8 SiP for the SE 2. Price Alongside the material change rumors, there had been rumblings about Apple lowering the price of its entry-level watch. However, that seems unlikely, given the recent tariff turmoil and the apparent reversal of Apple’s plans to change the material. It would be safe to expect the Apple Watch SE 3 to start at the same $249 as the current version, if not a tad above that, in case Apple decides to send the Apple Watch SE the way of the iPhone SE, and introduce a more expensive entry-level Apple Watch Series 11e. Apple Watch Series 11 2024 saw the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch announcement. However, 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of its release. This gave Apple two opportunities to release a 10-year anniversary edition of the Apple Watch, and the company has already skipped the first. This September, it might skip the second. To be fair, it looks like Apple did have a plan to release a 10th-anniversary Apple Watch band, but the company seems to have given up on that as well. Hardware and software Currently, it looks like any significant changes to the next generation of the main Apple Watch line should come from within. Alongside a predictable S11 SiP chipset update, the Apple Watch Series 11’s biggest draws should be software rather than hardware-focused. Apple is slated to debut an AI-based health coach that will use data collected by the Apple Watch and from other sources to offer a comprehensive, tailor-made health guide. At the same time, watchOS 12 is expected to adopt the same visual cues that iOS 19, macOS 19, and iPadOS 19 seem to be destined to adopt from visionOS. As for dimensions, a size increase doesn’t sound likely, as the current 42/46mm options already feel too large for some customers, but don’t rule out a small bezel shaving for a few extra pixels in screen dimensions. Price Just like with the Apple Watch SE, it would be wise to bet on similar-if-not-slightly-higher price points to make up for the uncertainty surrounding tariffs. The current Apple Watch line starts at $399, so don’t expect anything below that. Apple Watch Ultra 3 Last year, while many expected Apple to announce an Apple Watch Ultra 3, it announced a satin black option for the Apple Watch Ultra 2. This September, though, it might be different. Hardware and software There have been no reports about Apple planning to move away from titanium with the new Apple Watch Ultra. So, like the Apple Watch Series 11, this year’s update will probably rely on new features as a differentiator from its predecessor. According to leaks by Mark Gurman, the next-generation Apple Watch Ultra is slated to get 5G connectivity, as well as high blood pressure detection. The latter, it seems, will work in the same way as Apple currently measures body temperature and sleep apnea: instead of offering real-time data, it offers a rough trend overlook and warns the user when something seems off. Also, Apple is working to add independent satellite messaging to the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which will definitely be a welcome addition to those who live up to the Ultra’s sales proposition. Price The Apple Watch Ultra 2 currently starts at $799, which is quite pricey. There’s no sign Apple plans to lower the price, and given the risk of surprise tariffs, it’s unlikely they’ll raise it either. This model is probably the most stable in the lineup when it comes to pricing, but if there is one thing we have learned these last few months, it is that nothing is set in stone. Are you in the market for a new Apple Watch? Have you been holding off on buying one until new versions are announced? Let us know in the comments! Best Apple Watch deals currently on Amazon Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Earlier this year, Apple launched the iPhone 16e. While in many ways it was an iPhone SE successor, the naming scheme changes things up a bit compared to the iPhone SE. Now that it’s part of the mainline iPhone lineup, many have wondered – will this be an annual refresh? Today, we’ll be recapping the rumors. iPhone 17e: Annual refresh? According to leaker Instant Digital on Weibo, Apple is already preparing trial production of an iPhone 17e, suggesting that it’s almost definitely on the way: The setup of the 17e production line is being planned. This answers the question: There will be a 17e next year, and now it is almost in the trial production stage. It’s unclear what would change in an iPhone 17e. Dynamic Island would certainly be a welcome upgrade. It’ll also likely adopt the A19 chipset found in the upcoming iPhone 17 models. It might also debut the C2 modem, though that’s just a personal guess. One way or another, it seems quite plausible that the new ‘e’ iPhone will be an annual refresh, unlike the iPhone SE that came before it. Reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also anticipates an iPhone 17e launching in the first half of 2026. Beyond iPhone 17e Earlier this month, The Information reported that Apple will be transitioning to a split iPhone launch strategy, with iPhone 18 Air, Pro, Pro Max, and the foldable launching in fall 2026, and iPhone 18 and 18e launching in spring 2027. While this detail in itself doesn’t confirm an annual refresh for the ‘e’ iPhone, it does at least indicate that new entry-level iPhones will launch more regularly than iPhone SE models, which launched in 2016, 2020, and 2022, leaving an average refresh cycle of 3 years. Wrap up Overall, it’s too early to say for sure. However, I’d lean towards the answer being yes: Apple will probably launch an iPhone 17e in early 2026. I do personally hope that Apple diversifies their offerings a little bit. With the entry-level iPhone being $599 now, I think it could potentially be really cool if we saw an iPhone mini renaissance. It could potentially start at $499, making it a much more appealing purchase than the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini at $699. That’s more of a pipe dream, though. What do you think about iPhone 16e and the possibility of there being more regular ‘e’ iPhone launches? Let us know in the comments. My favorite Apple accessory recommendations: Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Here’s a fun one for Mac nostalgia fans: a new project by hobbyist Nick Gillard has taken the idea of mini retro builds to a whole micro level. Called the pico-mac-nano, this is a working replica of the original Macintosh that stands just 62 millimeters tall (that’s 2.4 inches for you, Casey Liss). And what’s more, you can actually run MacPaint and MacWrite on it. How awesome is that? The project (via BoingBoing) builds on an earlier open-source emulator by Matt Evans, who had already managed to get a Raspberry Pi Pico running System 1. Gillard took that idea and ran with it, packing it into a shockingly faithful 3D-printed case, complete with a tiny rainbow Apple logo and even a scale replica of the original Picasso-style shipping box. “I just couldn’t resist creating a matching, tiny version of the iconic ‘Picasso’ box that the original 128K Macintosh shipped in. After finally finding a manufacturer (in India!) and having the first batch back, I’m super-happy with the result; a white, full colour printed, corrugated cardboard box.” The guts of the machine are made of a Pi Pico microcontroller, a 2-inch 480×640 TFT screen configured to match the original Mac’s 512×342 resolution, and a speaker capable of those signature startup chimes. Everything runs off a custom firmware that emulates a 68000 CPU, all open-sourced and shared on GitHub. The result is a perfect desktop curiosity you can gift yourself on a special occasion or, if you’re one of these DIY creatures, build on your own. Gillard says he’ll be selling a few pre-assembled kits soon, but if you’re the DIY type, you can also grab the STL files, firmware, and a full parts list for your next weekend project over at 1BitRainbow.com. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Welcome to Indie App Spotlight. This is a weekly 9to5Mac series where we showcase the latest apps in the indie app world. If you’re a developer and would like your app featured, get in contact. Focus is a unique pomodoro timer app for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro that makes it easy to stay focused and develop productive working habits. If you have a procrastination problem, this could be an excellent tool for keeping you on pace. It recently got a new update with a redesign, deeper customization, and additional data with new charts/graphs – making it even more useful. Top features For one, Focus breaks down larger tasks into segments called “Focus Sessions.” This keeps you stay focused for a shorter period of time, and encourages breaks in between. This reduces stress and maintains overall energy. On top of that, the app features a clean to do list, making it easy to keep track of all of your tasks. To bring everything together, the app also monitors your progress and shows you how you’ve been doing. It’s a little nudge to keep you motivated. The app also features widgets, lock screen controls, live activities, and more. Staying productive is hard, but Focus wants to make it easier for you. Focus is available for free on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro on devices running iOS 17 or later. For the full experience, you can purchase Focus Pro for $4.99/month or $39.99/year. The annual option offers a 1 week free trial. My favorite Apple accessory recommendations: Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

While in today’s edition of Power On, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentioned a quiet but meaningful upgrade coming to Apple’s SwiftUI framework, 9to5Mac has learned of a second welcome improvement for developers who have been eager but unable to go all-in on SwiftUI app development. For years, SwiftUI has been marketed as the future of Apple app development: a modern way to build user interfaces that works across all Apple platforms. And for the most part, it does the job. Until you need to do something incredibly advanced like… support bold or italic text input, or embed web views. Finally, a built-in rich text editor Rich text has been one of SwiftUI’s biggest blind spots. It has had display-side rich text for a while, but nothing for input. And since there’s no built-in component specifically for that, developers have had to jump through hoops, mixing their code with good old UIKit, using third-party libraries, or hacking together awkward workarounds that break SwiftUI’s clean, platform-native feel. However, according to Gurman, this may be about to change: “And, in a development that will certainly appease many developers, SwiftUI, a set of Apple frameworks and tools for creating app user interfaces, will finally get a built-in rich text editor.” With a native rich text editor support reportedly on the way, Apple might finally be closing one of the most frustrating gaps in the framework. It’s a small change that might unlock a lot: better input fields for notes, messaging apps, documents, all without having to abandon SwiftUI’s declarative flow. Finally, web view embedding Adding to today’s report, 9to5Mac has also learned that Apple is preparing a new native API that will finally let developers embed web views in SwiftUI. Like with rich text support, this means developers won’t have to keep resorting to hacks or bridging UIKit code just to display a webpage. You can check the new code by yourself on WebKit’s GitHub page. These kinds of friction points are exactly what’s kept many developers from fully embracing SwiftUI. And while today’s news checks off just two long-standing items on their long wish lists, it might be enough to bring a few more of them onboard, which means better app experiences across the board for the rest of us. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the name for the next version of macOS is set to be ‘Tahoe’, named after Lake Tahoe in California. This name will accompany Apple’s first macOS redesign since Big Sur in 2020. Gurman describes macOS 26 as the third significant macOS redesign since Apple adopted California names, and Apple wanted to find a special name to accompany it: I’m told that the company has homed in on Lake Tahoe as its next moniker, making it macOS Tahoe. It’s a famous resort area and a vacation destination (and second-home site) for many Apple employees.  Developing… My favorite Apple accessory recommendations: Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

According to Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, Apple insiders “believe that the conference may be a letdown from an AI standpoint,” highlighting how far behind Apple still is. Still, Apple has a few AI-related announcements slated for June 9. As previously reported, this year’s biggest AI announcement will be Apple’s plans to open up its on-device foundation models to third-party developers. These are the same ~3B parameter models Apple currently uses for things like text summarization and autocorrect, and they’ll soon be available for devs to integrate into their own apps. To be clear, this is a meaningful milestone for Apple’s AI platform. It gives developers a powerful tool to natively integrate into their apps and potentially unlock genuinely useful features. Still, these on-device models are far less capable than the large-scale, cloud-based systems used by OpenAI and Google, so don’t expect earth-shattering features. AI features slated for this year’s iOS 26 Elsewhere in its AI efforts, Apple will reportedly: Launch a new battery power management mode; Reboot its Translate app, “now integrated with AirPods and Siri”; Start describing some features within apps like Safari and Photos as “AI-powered”. As Gurman puts it, this feels like a risky “gap year.” Internally, Apple is aiming to make up for it at WWDC 2026, with bigger swings that “it hopes it can try to convince consumers that it’s an AI innovator.“. However, given how fast the competition is moving, waiting until next year might put Apple even further behind, perception-wise. What’s still in the works? Currently, Apple’s ongoing AI developments include an LLM Siri, a revamped Shortcuts app, the ambitious health-related Project Mulberry, and a full-blown ChatGPT competitor with web search capabilities. According to Gurman, Apple is holding off on previewing some of these features to avoid repeating last year’s mistake, when it showed off Apple Intelligence with features that were nowhere near ready and are still MIA. Behind the scenes, Gurman reports Apple has made progress. It now has models with 3B, 7B, 33B, and 150B parameters in testing, with the largest ones relying on the cloud. Internal benchmarks suggest its top model is close to recent ChatGPT updates in quality. Still, concerns over hallucinations and internal debates over Apple’s approach to generative AI are keeping things private, for now. Apple’s dev AI story As for Apple’s developer offerings, Gurman reports: “Developers will see AI get more deeply integrated into Apple’s developer tools, including those for user interface testing. And, in a development that will certainly appease many developers, SwiftUI, a set of Apple frameworks and tools for creating app user interfaces, will finally get a built-in rich text editor.” And if you’re still waiting for Swift Assist, the AI code-completion tool Apple announced last year, Gurman says Apple is expected to provide an update on it. Still, there is no word yet on whether this update includes releasing the Anthropic-powered code completion version that its employees have been testing for the past few months. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

I was lucky enough to get an early look and hands-on experience with Satechi’s new OntheGo line at CES this year, and I was immediately impressed. Satechi managed to bridge the gap between tech enthusiasts like myself, who appreciate cutting-edge features like Qi2 and MagSafe charging, and everyday users, thanks to their thoughtful material choices and versatile color palette. Here’s everything you need to know! Be sure to check out our video below on Satechi’s OnTheGo 3 in 1 charger! What you get & specs So in the box you get: The 3 in 1 charger itself 1M USB-C to C cable Nice little travel pouch In typical 2025 standards, you do not get a charging brick, and they recommend a 36W charging brick for optimal performance. It will work with other charging bricks but just won’t be optimal. Specs: Charges your iPhone via Qi2 at 15W Fast charges Apple Watch at 5W Headphone charges at 5W (can also place anything else that supports wireless charging. Hands-on review Satechi’s OntheGo 3-in-1 Charger hits the sweet spot for travelers and everyday users at the same time. It can charge your big three: your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. It also easily fits into every aspect of your life. The foldable design makes it super easy to pack away, but what stood out to me is how you can prop up your phone at different angles while charging. So, in theory, it supports Standby and night stand modes! Whether you’re checking notifications, watching a video, or hopping on a FaceTime call, it adds a layer of versatility that most travel chargers miss. The charger feels sturdy when folded into a stand mode, and the magnetic connection keeps your iPhone securely in place without any wobble. Combined with the premium vegan leather finish, lightweight build, and the new sand color, it is a new staple in my everyday carry. Pricing & availability The new 2 in-1 and 3-in-1 OnTheGo chargers are available today directly from Satechi. They come in three different colors: Black, Desert Rose, and Sand. The 2 in 1 is $79 and the 3 in 1 option is $99. I am happy they have two versions for the people who don’t have AirPods or an Apple Watch. Let me know what you think of these. Are these a charger you would use? Let’s discuss below! Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Long-time 9to5Mac readers will remember that the native Shortcuts app started as an indie project called Workflow, a clever, approachable tool that made automation fun and accessible to less technical users. Today, Shortcuts remains a powerful utility, particularly on the Mac. However, compared to how agentic AI tools have reshaped how we think about automation, it’s feeling a bit stagnant. That may be about to change. As reported by Mark Gurman in today’s Power On newsletter, Apple is preparing a significant overhaul of its Shortcuts app, integrating AI capabilities through its Apple Intelligence initiative: “A revamped version of its Shortcuts app, which today lets users create actions such as launching certain features within apps or playing a particular playlist. The new version will let consumers create those actions using Apple Intelligence models. (This had long been planned for 2025, but delays may push it to 2026.)” In other words, an AI-based Shortcuts app might allow more natural language interactions, further lowering the barrier for automation-curious users who might find the current interface a bit challenging to navigate. This move aligns with broader industry trends where AI is increasingly integrated into system-level functionalities. Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs, for instance, feature an AI agent capable of performing actions and daisy-chaining system adjustments based on user requests through natural language commands. Imagine combining this capability with AI-generated automations triggered by simple voice or text prompts, such as: “When I start a Zoom, Teams, Meet, or FaceTime call, activate Do Not Disturb, dim the screen, and open Notes. During the meeting, capture participant names, job titles, and key discussion points. After the call, draft an email summarizing the meeting and outlining each person’s action items.” This might be trivial for you, but it sure isn’t for most users. And having this sort of stuff one voice command away could be really powerful. I’ll say it again: MCP And then there’s Anthropic’s MCP, an open standard designed to facilitate seamless integration between AI assistants and external data sources and tools. Against all odds, it has been adopted by major players, including Google and OpenAI (who also offer their own solutions), in a rare case of cross-industry collaboration. While it’s uncertain whether Apple will ever embrace MCP, its adoption would absolutely benefit users by enabling automation even further, beyond just system settings and limited local app control. Given Gurman’s report that this AI-powered Shortcuts feature, initially planned for 2025, might be delayed to 2026, it’s unlikely we’ll see it showcased at the June 9 WWDC keynote. Still, it’s a relief to know that Apple has been paying attention to this aspect of agentic AI. Whether it will deliver on its promise remains to be seen. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Image: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo LifeLast year, we were kindly sent a sample of 'The Most Relaxing Video Games' from Ryan Janes, a lovely book that delved into a collection of games handpicked to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Now, Janes is back with another book, this time looking at some of the best PvP games ever made – in fact, it's straight up called 'The Best Competitive Multiplayer Games', how about that! Much like the first book, this one doesn't merely list out a bunch of games and have done with it, but instead incorporates a lot of Janes' own personal history and anecdotes, making for a pleasant read from start to finish.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube814kWatch on YouTube It also happens to be chock-full of Nintendo titles; obvious choices like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Nintendo Land, and Splatoon 3, but also games that might fly under the radar in the modern age: Pikmin 3, Warioware, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!, and Kirby's Dream Course, to name but a few. Other platforms are represented too, mind you, with classics like Tekken 3, The Typing of the Dead, and Marvel Snap all featured. If you picked up Janes' first book and enjoyed it, then this is more of the delightful same. It's got lots of interesting facts that you might not have known before, plenty of cool choices that we perhaps won't have considered ourselves, and the product itself remains high quality and pleasantly big; a lovely coffee table book, then. Images: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life Images: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life Image: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life The Best Competitive Multiplayer Games is available now via Pen and Sword. Huge thanks to Ryan Janes for sending a sample for our perusement. Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information. Have you nabbed this book already? What do you make of it? Let us know your thoughts with a comment in the usual place.