8 Smart Glasses Features That Put Information Where Your Eyes Already Look
Turn-by-turn arrows, live translation captions, and surgical vitals—smart glasses are overlaying utility onto the world you already see.
Apple Upgrade and iOS 26.6 Arrive, but 2027 Plans Draw Skepticism
The Klarna-backed Upgrade and iOS 26.6 ship, while we explore upcoming smart glasses, iOS 27 refinements, Ed Zitron's 'watch everything burn' prediction, and questions about Apple Card installments.
Source material: macrumors.com
Apple Upgrade Launches with Klarna
Apple this week launched Apple Upgrade, a U.S. leasing program for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, in partnership with Klarna. It replaces the iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments. iPhone and Apple Watch come in 12- and 24-month terms; iPad and Mac in 24- and 36-month terms. When the lease ends, you can return the device, start a new lease, or buy it by paying the difference between total lease payments and the original retail price.
iOS 26.6 Released Ahead of September
Apple released iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 to the public this week, a release that Apple says patches hundreds of security flaws across its operating systems and prepares the Spotlight search index for the upcoming cycle of OS 27 releases, marking what should be one of the final updates before iOS 27's official launch in September. The update arrives a little more than a month before the September iPhone debut season.
Home Hub Tipped for October Launch
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple plans to launch an all-new smart home hub between October and early next year. The device will be available in tabletop and wall-mounted versions, with Siri AI as a core feature, and Apple reportedly expects many customers to buy more than one. Gurman also says updated Apple TV and HomePod mini models have been ready for some time, but are waiting for Siri AI's availability in the fall.
Smart Glasses Aim for WWDC 2027
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple currently plans to unveil its first smart glasses at WWDC 2027 next June, with privacy as a focus. Apple is prototyping 'a slew of new hardware and software-related privacy features' not available on current products, though no specifics were mentioned. Gurman noted that Apple's marketing will likely emphasize the glasses' privacy measures compared to rivals like the Meta Ray-Bans.
iOS 27 Refines iCloud, Phone, and FaceTime
In its ongoing coverage of the iOS 27 beta, MacRumors highlighted changes to iCloud and the Phone and FaceTime apps. iCloud gains improvements to syncing and sharing, plus new premium benefits for iCloud+ subscribers. The Phone app adds Call Context, which shows relevant information from across your apps during a call, while FaceTime gets Dual Capture, allowing simultaneous video streaming from front and rear cameras.
Ed Zitron Predicts Apple Will 'Watch Everything Burn'
Ed Zitron, who writes the Where's Your Ed At newsletter, hosts the Better Offline podcast, and has been described by Politico as the AI boom's most 'acerbic gadfly,' told MacRumors that memory prices have doubled and Macs, iPads, and iPhones are rising in cost. He argues the buildout driving those costs will never pay for itself. When asked what happens to Apple if he's right, Zitron said Apple will 'watch everything burn.'
Apple Card Monthly Installments in Question
9to5Mac speculates that Apple Card Monthly Installments may eventually be retired, noting Apple's transition to JPMorgan Chase won't occur until early 2028. The current Apple website says users 'can continue' using ACMI, phrasing that doesn't inspire confidence, says the report. With Apple Upgrade offering more flexible terms and still rewarding 3% cash back with Apple Card, 9to5Mac suggests ACMI's days could be numbered.
Where this came from. This breakdown is based on source material published at macrumors.com. Images above are used with the credits shown beneath each one.
