AirPods Pro 3 revealed in iOS 26 beta code — here's what we know
The code was discovered by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, who found a reference to the AirPods Pro 3 buried in a headphone-related UI framework alongside mentions of the current AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods Pro. While the code doesn't mention any specific features, it still indicates that Apple could be preparing for an upcoming launch.
This isn't the first time that we've seen code lines that seemingly indicate that Apple is working on a new set of headphones. We recently saw Apple update a sentence in a software update that had previously stated, 'AirPods Pro 2nd Generation' to read 'AirPods Pro 2 or later.'
As it stands, we don't have a lot of information on the possible features that the new AirPods Pro will have. However, there are a fair number of rumors, including the possibility of a heart rate monitor similar to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. We've also seen patents for a possible touch screen on the case of the AirPods that would let you control music and other features.
We do however know that Apple is bringing users a couple of new additions for the current AirPods line in general. During WWDC, it was revealed that Apple is launching two big upgrades: improved, studio-quality sound for AirPods headphones and new remote camera controls for a connected iPhone.
Apple's potential release of a new pair of AirPods Pro is certainly great news, considering we've been waiting since the original Lightning-ported AirPods Pro 2 launched in September 2022, with the only hardware update being the USB-C version that appeared in February of last year. But even with this code discovery seemingly confirming the AirPods Pro 3 are on their way, we could still be waiting until 2026 for an actual launch.
All the new features coming as part of Apple's iOS 26 lineup make it look like a great time to invest in either the AirPods 4 or AirPods Max, or even the AirPods Pro 2 if you wanted. But we wouldn't blame you for holding out for AirPods Pro 3. Chances are they'll once again be among the best earbuds you can buy, especially for Apple users.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
a few seconds ago
- Forbes
Apple iOS 18.6.1 Surprise iPhone Software: Should You Upgrade?
If you'd thought that we'd seen the last of iOS 18 with the recent release of iOS 18.6, you wouldn't have been alone. But Apple has released a new update that specifically brings back a missing feature to millions of Apple Watches. This post has the initial thoughts on the new release and I'll be updating this post over the coming week and will make a final assessment on Friday, Aug. 8. Who Is It For And How Do You Get It? Apple iOS 18.6.1 is compatible with all iPhones from 2018 on. That's the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Plus and iPhone XR models and every phone since. That means the iPhone 11 series, iPhone 12, iPhone 13 and so on right up to the iPhone 16 series, plus the second- and third-generation iPhone SE models as well as the iPhone 16e. If you have any of these phones except the first three, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Plus and iPhone XR, they will work with iOS 26. To update, find the iPhone's Settings app, click on General, then Software Update. Then, choose Download and Install, and the software will download from there. This is a medium download, around 720MB, but it should be reasonably quick to install. What It's About This update, though is recommended for all users, is specifically to introduce a benefit for millions of Apple Watch users. A patent dispute between Apple and medical equipment company Masimo led to the blood oxygen monitoring feature on U.S.-sold Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to be disabled. It never appeared on Apple Watch Series 10 models sold in the States. The software update means all compatible Apple Watches sold anywhere to have the feature again, once this update and a watchOS 11.6.1 update are installed. It's essentially a workaround: you still activate the Blood Oxygen app on your Apple Watch, but it now transmits data to the iPhone where it is calculated and analyzed, with the result found in the Health app under the Respiratory section. Compatible Apple Watches comprise Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2. You can read more about the blood oxygen feature's return here. Apple iOS 18.6.1 Security No, there are no security features in this update, Apple says. Mind you, there were more than 20 in the last one, and that was scarcely more than two weeks ago, so perhaps that's no surprise. Initial Reactions Some users have reported a snappier performance on their iPhones though nobody has said it introduced new problems, I believe. One Redditor said their iPad now had a blank screen, but to be clear there hasn't been an iPad update. Apple iOS 18.6.1 Initial Verdict: Update If you are in the U.S. and have an Apple Watch or are going to get one in the future, this is a no-brainer. For the rest of us, go ahead, there's no harm here and maybe you'll find a snappier iPhone as a result. If you have an Apple Watch, don't forget to install watchOS 11.6.1 as well. Final verdict next week.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
TSMC to Phase Out 6-Inch Wafer Business to Improve Efficiency
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) is one of the best high-volume stocks to invest in. On August 12, TSMC announced a 2-year plan to phase out its 6-inch wafer manufacturing business. The company stated that this decision, made after a thorough evaluation of market conditions, is aligned with its long-term business strategy to improve efficiency. TSMC is also continuing to consolidate its 8-inch wafer production capacity. The company has only one 6-inch wafer fabrication plant and four 8-inch fabs in Taiwan, which are used for mature-node chip manufacturing. The production of advanced-node chips for major customers like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA) takes place in its 12-inch fabs. A close-up of a complex network of integrated circuits used in logic semiconductors. According to TSMC, this move will not affect its previously announced financial targets. The company is working with its customers to ensure a smooth transition and remains committed to meeting their needs during this period. In July, TSMC projected that its revenue would increase by about 30% for the year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) is a technology company that manufactures, packages, tests, and sells ICs and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the US, and internationally. While we acknowledge the potential of TSM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
5 must-try iOS 26 features for your iPhone — and how to use them
iOS 26 brings several standout features that can significantly improve your iPhone experience. This major update introduces new customization options, smarter automation, and enhanced AI capabilities that adapt to how you use your device. From visual upgrades that change the look of your homescreen to AI improvements that make your iPhone genuinely more helpful, this update feels like a meaningful step forward rather than just another incremental change. Whether you're someone who loves tweaking every detail of your setup or you just want your phone to work better without extra effort, these five features hit the sweet spot. Liquid Glass icons are probably the most visually striking change in iOS 26. Instead of the solid app icons you're used to, this feature makes them semi-transparent so your wallpaper shows through. To enable Liquid Glass icons, long-press anywhere on your homescreen until the edit options appear. Tap the Edit button in the top-left corner, then select Customize from the menu that appears. At the bottom of your screen, you'll see options for Light, Dark, Tinted, and Clear. Tap Clear to access the Liquid Glass settings, then choose between Clear Light, Clear Dark, or Clear Auto depending on whether you want full transparency or prefer to keep some original colors. Instead of being interrupted by every unknown number that calls, call screening intercepts these calls first and asks the caller to identify themselves. Only then will you get notified and can decide whether to take the call or send it straight to voicemail. Setting up call screening is straightforward. Open the Settings app, scroll down and tap Apps, then select Phone from the list. Look for the Screen Incoming Calls section and slide the toggle to turn it on. Once enabled, any call from an unknown number will be automatically screened before your phone rings. When someone identifies themselves, a notification will appear, displaying their name, number, and a brief transcript of their message. From there, you can tap the green button to answer or the red button to send them to voicemail. Sometimes the smallest updates end up being the most fun to use. iOS 26 lets you personalize individual conversations with custom images or Apple's curated collections. It's not momentous, but it makes your chats feel more distinctive and personal. To add a background, open any message conversation and tap on the header at the top — that's the area with the person's photo or group icon. You'll see Backgrounds appear in a scroll bar near the top of your screen. Apple provides curated collections organized by themes like Color, Sky, Water, and Aurora, but you can also use your own photos. It's a simple way to give each conversation its own personality, whether that's adding a vacation photo to a family group chat or picking something that matches the vibe of your friend group. Visual Intelligence now works with screenshots, not just live camera views. This means you can capture anything on your iPhone screen and instantly search for more information, add events to your calendar, or find similar images. Taking advantage of this feature is as simple as taking a regular screenshot. Press the power button and volume up button simultaneously to capture whatever's on your screen. When the screenshot preview appears, you'll see the usual options to save, share, or markup your image. You'll also notice new Visual Intelligence commands at the bottom: Ask, Add to Calendar, and Image Search. Ask uses ChatGPT to provide information about what's in your screenshot, Add to Calendar can create events from detected text, and Image Search helps you find similar images or products online. Spatial Scenes gives your photos a subtle 3D effect on your lock screen. It identifies which of your photos would work well with this depth effect and converts them into immersive wallpapers. It's a nice way to make your favorite photos feel more dynamic. To set up a Spatial Scene, press and hold on your lock screen, then tap the plus button at the bottom to create a new customized lock screen. Scroll down through the featured wallpapers until you find Spatial Scenes. You'll find a selection of photos that Apple has identified as good candidates for the 3D conversion. Once you select a photo, the conversion happens automatically. You can then pinch and zoom to crop the image and decide whether to extend the wallpaper or turn off the depth effect. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
