macOS Tahoe 26.2 RC Brings New Video Call Enhancement

Apple has rolled out the Release Candidate (RC) version of macOS Tahoe 26.2 to both developers and public beta testers, signaling that the official release is imminent. This update introduces a notable new feature for Mac users who frequently use video calling applications.

Edge Light Feature for Video Calls

The headline feature in macOS Tahoe 26.2 is Edge Light, which enhances video call quality by adding a border of soft light around the display. This feature is designed to improve lighting conditions during video conferences, helping users appear better lit even in less-than-ideal environments.

Availability and How to Install

The Release Candidate is currently available to registered developers and users enrolled in Apple's public beta program. To download macOS Tahoe 26.2, testers need to:

• Open the System Settings app
• Select the General category
• Choose Software Update
• Ensure Beta Updates are enabled in their settings

What This Means for Mac Users

The release of a Release Candidate typically indicates that Apple has finished the major development work on this update and is conducting final testing before the public rollout. Users can expect the official version of macOS Tahoe 26.2 to arrive in the coming weeks.

The Edge Light feature addresses a common pain point for remote workers and anyone who regularly participates in video calls, offering a software-based solution to improve video call appearance without requiring additional hardware like ring lights or external lighting setups.

Mac users not enrolled in the beta program should expect to see this update become available through the standard Software Update mechanism once Apple completes its final testing phase.

Apple Releases watchOS 26.2 and tvOS 26.2 with New Features

Apple has officially released watchOS 26.2 for Apple Watch and tvOS 26.2 for Apple TV, delivering targeted improvements to both platforms.

What's New in watchOS 26.2

According to Apple's official release notes, watchOS 26.2 includes four specific changes for Apple Watch users. The most significant update involves revised Sleep Score ranges that better align with how people actually feel after a night's sleep. This adjustment should provide more accurate and meaningful feedback about sleep quality.

The update is now available to download through the Settings app on compatible Apple Watch models.

tvOS 26.2 Changes for Apple TV

Apple TV users receiving tvOS 26.2 will gain the ability to create profiles without an Apple Account. This feature makes it easier for households to set up personalized experiences on shared Apple TV devices without requiring every user to have their own Apple ID.

Availability and How to Update

Both software updates are available now through the Settings app on each respective device. Apple Watch users can update by opening the Watch app on their paired iPhone, navigating to General > Software Update. Apple TV users can find the update in Settings > System > Software Updates.

Why This Matters

These updates demonstrate Apple's continued refinement of its ecosystem devices. The Sleep Score adjustment addresses user feedback about the accuracy of health tracking metrics, while the tvOS profile change removes a barrier for multi-user households who may not want to create Apple Accounts for every family member.

While these aren't major feature releases, they represent the kind of incremental improvements that enhance day-to-day usability for millions of Apple device owners.

Apple Brings Critical Health Features to More Countries

Apple has significantly expanded the availability of its health monitoring features across multiple countries, bringing potentially life-saving tools to millions of new users through the Apple Watch and AirPods.

Apple Watch Health Expansions

Hypertension Notifications are now available in three new countries:

• United Arab Emirates
• Saudi Arabia
• Vietnam

This feature alerts users to potential high blood pressure concerns, helping them monitor cardiovascular health directly from their wrist.

Sleep Apnea Notifications have launched in Colombia, enabling Apple Watch users to detect potential breathing disturbances during sleep—a condition that affects millions worldwide and often goes undiagnosed.

AirPods Hearing Health Features

Apple's Hearing Test and Hearing Aid functionality has expanded to three additional countries:

• Bahrain
• Costa Rica
• Paraguay

These features transform compatible AirPods into clinical-grade hearing aids, allowing users to take hearing tests and receive personalized audio amplification without expensive medical devices.

Why This Matters to Consumers

These expansions represent a significant step in making advanced health monitoring accessible to broader populations. Hypertension and sleep apnea are serious conditions that can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other complications if left undetected. By integrating these monitoring capabilities into devices users already own, Apple removes barriers to early detection and intervention.

The hearing health features are particularly impactful, as hearing aids traditionally cost thousands of dollars and require multiple medical appointments. Apple's implementation allows users to assess and address hearing loss using AirPods they may already own.

These features require compatible Apple Watch models (typically Series 9 or later for newer features) and AirPods Pro 2 for hearing functionality. Users in newly supported countries should check for software updates to access these capabilities.

iPhone 17's Anti-Reflective Display Creates Screen Protector Compatibility Issue

Apple's iPhone 17 lineup will introduce Ceramic Shield 2, an upgraded version of the company's screen protection technology that now includes anti-reflective properties. While this represents an advancement in display durability and visibility, it comes with an unexpected trade-off for consumers who rely on aftermarket screen protectors.

The Screen Protector Problem

According to reports from 9to5Mac, standard screen protectors are not well-suited for the iPhone 17's new displays. The incompatibility appears to stem from the anti-reflective coating integrated into Ceramic Shield 2, which may interfere with how traditional screen protectors adhere to or interact with the display surface.

What This Means for Consumers

For iPhone users accustomed to adding an extra layer of protection to their devices, this development raises important questions about device care. Consumers may need to:

• Wait for compatible accessories: Screen protector manufacturers will likely need to develop new products specifically designed for Ceramic Shield 2's anti-reflective surface
• Rely on built-in protection: Apple's enhanced Ceramic Shield 2 may be durable enough to eliminate the need for additional screen protection
• Consider alternative protection methods: Cases with raised edges may become more important for drop protection

Looking Ahead

As the iPhone 17's launch approaches, accessory makers will need to adapt their products to work with the new display technology. Whether the improved Ceramic Shield 2 will prove robust enough to replace traditional screen protectors remains to be seen, but early indications suggest Apple is confident in the enhanced durability of its latest screen technology.

Apple's iOS 26.2 Update Enters Final Testing Phase

Apple has just released the Release Candidate (RC) versions of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2, marking the final testing stage before the public rollout of these major software updates for iPhone and iPad users.

What is a Release Candidate?

The RC version represents the final build that Apple plans to release to the general public, assuming no critical bugs are discovered during this last week of testing. According to MacRumors, registered developers and public beta testers can download the RC from the Settings app starting today as an over-the-air update.

Expected Release Date

With the RC now available, iOS 26.2 is expected to launch to all iPhone users very soon, likely within the next week. Apple typically releases the final version to the public within days of the RC becoming available, provided no major issues emerge during final testing.

Availability Across Apple's Ecosystem

Apple has released RC versions across its software lineup, including both iOS 26.2 for iPhone and iPadOS 26.2 for iPad. This coordinated release suggests Apple is preparing for a simultaneous launch across multiple device categories.

What to Expect

While the source materials confirm that iOS 26.2 includes "a lot of new iPhone features," specific details about the new capabilities will become clearer as the public release approaches. The update represents the next major software release for Apple's mobile devices.

How to Get It

Current developers and public beta testers can access the RC version now through the Settings app. General users should expect the final public release within the coming days, at which point it will be available as a standard over-the-air update for compatible iPhone and iPad models.

iOS 26 Brings Improved Motion Sickness Relief

Apple has quietly enhanced its Vehicle Motion Cues feature in iOS 26 with a new adjustment that promises better relief for users who experience motion sickness when using their iPhones in cars and other vehicles.

What Vehicle Motion Cues Does

Vehicle Motion Cues is an accessibility feature designed to help reduce motion sickness (kinetosis) that some users experience when looking at their iPhone screen while in a moving vehicle. The feature works by displaying visual cues on the screen that help the user's eyes and inner ear stay in sync with the vehicle's motion.

The iOS 26 Enhancement

While the original Vehicle Motion Cues feature provided some relief when Apple first introduced it, iOS 26 includes a new hidden adjustment that takes the functionality further. According to user reports, this new adjustment has proven more effective at completely eliminating motion sickness symptoms that persisted with the previous implementation.

Why This Matters

Motion sickness from device usage in vehicles is a common problem that affects many iPhone users, limiting their ability to read, work, or stay entertained during car rides. The enhanced Vehicle Motion Cues adjustment in iOS 26 represents a meaningful improvement to an accessibility feature that can significantly impact daily device usage for affected users.

For those who experience motion sickness when using their iPhone in vehicles, the new iOS 26 adjustment may finally provide the complete solution they've been waiting for since the feature's initial introduction.

Sony Launches A7 V with Speed-Focused Upgrades

Sony has officially released the A7 V, its mid-range flagship mirrorless camera that marks a significant leap forward in speed and processing power. Coming more than four years after the A7 IV, the new model arrives at a time when the camera landscape has evolved considerably for Sony and its competitors.

Key Camera Specifications

The A7 V features a 33MP partially stacked full-frame Exmor RS sensor, representing Sony's first implementation of partially stacked sensor technology in the A7 line. This is paired with an all-new Bionz XR2 processor with built-in AI capabilities, enabling faster performance across the board.

For video shooters, the camera offers 4K 120p recording, though according to Engadget, the video capabilities received somewhat less emphasis than speed improvements, potentially disappointing some videographers who expected more video-focused enhancements.

Updated Kit Lens for High-Speed Shooting

Alongside the A7 V, Sony introduced an upgraded kit lens: the FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II. This compact full-frame zoom lens has been specifically designed to complement the camera's high-speed capabilities, with the ability to shoot at 120 fps to match the camera's performance.

Why It Matters

The A7 V represents Sony's latest effort to maintain its position in the competitive mirrorless camera market. The combination of a partially stacked sensor, AI-powered processor, and high frame rate capabilities positions this camera as a versatile tool for both photographers prioritizing speed (sports, wildlife, action) and hybrid shooters who need respectable video performance. The updated kit lens ensures users can take full advantage of the camera's speed improvements right out of the box.

Pricing and availability details were not included in the initial announcements.

Netflix Removes Phone Casting Feature

Netflix has disabled casting support from smartphones to most televisions and TV streaming devices, according to reports from multiple tech publications. The change affects devices including Chromecast and Google TV Streamer.

Impact on Devices

The removal of casting functionality affects a wide range of streaming hardware that previously supported casting Netflix content from mobile phones. Users who relied on this feature to watch Netflix on their TVs from their smartphones will need to find alternative methods.

What This Means for Consumers

Consumers who frequently used phone casting as their primary method to watch Netflix on TV displays will need to adapt to alternative viewing methods. This change represents a significant shift in how users can access Netflix content across their devices.

First-Gen Nest Cam Users Face Persistent Offline Issue

Google Home users with older first-generation Nest Cams are dealing with a frustrating bug that keeps their cameras perpetually offline in the Google Home app, according to reports from 9to5Google. The issue is particularly problematic because there's currently no clear fix available to restore the cameras to working order.

The Problem

The bug affects specifically the first-generation Nest Cam models, leaving them unable to connect properly through the Google Home app. This renders the security cameras essentially non-functional for users who rely on the Google Home ecosystem to monitor their devices and view camera feeds.

What makes this issue especially disappointing is the timing. Google has recently been expanding support for older Nest products, rolling out new features to extend the life of legacy devices. However, this connectivity problem undermines those efforts for first-gen Nest Cam owners.

Why This Matters

For consumers who invested in Google's Nest ecosystem, this bug represents a significant disruption to their smart home security setup. First-generation Nest Cams were premium products when released, and many users continue to rely on them for home monitoring. Being locked out of camera access through the Google Home app means losing the ability to check live feeds, receive alerts, or review recorded footage through Google's unified smart home interface.

The lack of a clear fix is particularly concerning, as it leaves affected users without a timeline for when they might regain full functionality of their devices. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining older smart home hardware as manufacturers update their software platforms and apps.

Google has not yet publicly announced a resolution timeline for this issue, leaving first-gen Nest Cam owners waiting for a fix to restore their cameras to normal operation.

Samsung Reportedly Planning Dual Galaxy Z Fold 8 Launch

Samsung may be breaking from tradition with its next-generation foldable lineup. Recent discoveries in the GSMA database point to the company developing a second Galaxy Z Fold 8 variant in addition to the standard model expected in 2026.

What We Know

According to 9to5Google, a unique Samsung model number and codename recently appeared in the GSMA database, indicating work on an additional Galaxy Z Fold 8 device beyond the traditional flagship model. GSMArena corroborates this finding, reporting that Samsung is developing an extra book-style foldable alongside the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8.

The book-style foldable form factor refers to devices that open like a book, similar to Samsung's existing Z Fold series, as opposed to the clamshell design of the Z Flip lineup.

Why This Matters for Consumers

If accurate, this development could signal a significant shift in Samsung's foldable strategy. Currently, Samsung releases one premium Z Fold device per generation, positioning it as the company's flagship foldable for productivity and multitasking.

A second variant could mean:

• More choice at different price points - Samsung may offer a more affordable Z Fold option or a premium "Ultra" variant
• Different feature sets - The variants could target different user needs, such as a slimmer model versus a productivity-focused device
• Increased competition - More options from Samsung could put pressure on competing foldable manufacturers

What's Next

Details remain scarce about what differentiates this second variant from the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8. Samsung has not officially confirmed the device, and specifications, pricing, and launch timing are currently unknown. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 series is expected to arrive sometime in 2026, following Samsung's typical annual refresh cycle.

Consumers interested in Samsung's foldable lineup should watch for official announcements in the coming months as more details emerge about this potential dual-device strategy.