Every year, the new version of macOS ships with at least one new default wallpaper. macOS 27 Golden Gate continues that tradition.
I like this wallpaper; it has some Mac OS 9 vibes.
Category: Apple
WWDC26: Apple Watch Ultra 1 and SE 2 Dropped from watchOS 27
As spotted by MacRumors, the system requirements for watchOS 27 are pretty steep:
Apple today confirmed that watchOS 27 will not support the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra (first generation), or Apple Watch SE (second generation), effectively drawing a line at devices equipped with the S9 or S10 chip.
The only Apple Watch models compatible with watchOS 27 are the Apple Watch Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, Ultra 3, and SE 3. Despite the fact that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 contains the S9 chip, the Series 9 which contains the same chip will no longer be supported.
WWDC26: Tim Cook’s Closing Reflections
Today’s keynote didn’t include a formal handoff between Tim Cook and John Ternus (who wasn’t even in the video), but Cook did offer some closing remarks. As is his style, it was more about Apple than himself:
On a personal note, some of the greatest highlights of my time as CEO have been events like this. Sharing powerful new tools with all of you and then seeing what you create with them has been a constant reminder has no limits. Over the years you have helped people connect, create, learn, and experience the world in extraordinary new ways, and with the incredible capabilities we introduced today, and so many more still to come, I truly believe the best is still ahead.
WWDC26: A New Kind of Keynote
The WWDC keynote just wrapped up, and it was startlingly different. For years, Apple has gone through each of its operating systems, highlighting features it was bringing to each one.
That had broken down over time as more and more features were cross-platform. For example, Apple would announce something in its iPadOS section just for it to popup in macOS. Something in Reminders on the iPhone would also be present on the iPad.
WWDC26: As Foretold, macOS 27 Golden Gate Drops Intel Support
Apple had previously announced that macOS 26 Tahoe would be the last release to support Intel-based Macs:
macOS Tahoe will be the last release for Intel-based Mac computers. Those systems will continue to receive security updates for 3 years.
Rosetta was designed to make the transition to Apple silicon easier, and we plan to make it available for the next two major macOS releases – through macOS 27 – as a general-purpose tool for Intel apps to help developers complete the migration of their apps. Beyond this timeframe, we will keep a subset of Rosetta functionality aimed at supporting older unmaintained gaming titles, that rely on Intel-based frameworks.
The Fitbit Air’s Sleep Tracking is Trying to Keep Me Up at Night
I’ve worn an Apple Watch for sleep tracking for ages, using our very own Sleep++. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve also been wearing a Fitbit Air, slowly taking notes for a full review.
So far, the data it tracks is roughly similar to that of the Apple Watch, except for sleep. If you wake up at any point, Google Health stops tracking sleep for the night and gives you a horrific sleep score:
Microsoft Killing Office 2019 for Mac⇢
Microsoft will prevent Office 2019 for Mac owners from editing their documents from July 13, a restriction the company is attributing to the productivity suite’s expiring digital certificate.
The Office 2019 apps affected include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Once the certificate used to confirm the suite’s license expires, these apps will drop into what Microsoft is calling “reduced functionality mode.” In other words, users will still be able to open, view, and print existing documents, but creating, editing and saving documents will be disabled. The same restriction will apply to iPhone and iPad apps that can’t be updated, according to Microsoft.
The MacBook Ultra’s Naming Dilemma
There’s a lot of reporting pointing to a new high-end MacBook on the horizon, as Tim Hardwick at MacRumors writes:
Reports and rumors suggest the next MacBook Pro that Apple will release might not be a MacBook Pro at all. It could actually be something altogether new and more exciting – a “MacBook Ultra” – positioned above the Pro as Apple’s top-tier laptop, suggesting that the current M5 Pro and M5 Max models will remain on sale when it launches.
Control Center is Homeless
Last night before going to bed, I told my iPhone to install iOS 26.4.2 and when I picked it up this morning, I was greeted by a Control Center bug that has been around since iOS 26 first launched:
For months, HomeKit controls will be missing after an iOS update or device restart. In this case, I am missing controls for my garage door, my thermostats, and a couple of scenes.
A Presidential Proclamation Marking Tim Cook’s Retirement⇢
A very official and normal statement from the President:
I have always been a big fan of Tim Cook, and likewise, Steve Jobs, but if Steve was not taken from the Planet Earth so young, and ran the company instead of Tim, the company would have done well, but nowhere near as well as it has under Tim. For me it began with a phone call from Tim at the beginning of my First Term. He had a fairly large problem that only I, as President, could fix. Most people would have paid millions of dollars to a consultant, who I probably would not have known, but who would say that he knew me well. The fees would be paid but the job would not have gotten done. When I got the call I said, wow, it’s Tim Apple (Cook!) calling, how big is that? I was very impressed with myself to have the head of Apple calling to “kiss my ass.” Anyway, he explained his problem, a tough one it was, I felt he was right and got it taken care of, quickly and effectively. That was the beginning of a long and very nice relationship. During my five years as President, Tim would call me, but never too much, and I would help him where I could. Years latter, after 3 or 4 BIG HELPS, I started to say to people, anyone who would listen, that this guy is an amazing manager and leader. He makes these calls to me, I help him out (but not always, because he will, on occasion, be too aggressive in his ask!), and he gets the job done, QUICKLY, without a dime being given to those very expensive (millions of dollars!) consultants around town who sometimes get it done, and sometimes don’t. Anyway, Tim Cook had an AMAZING career, almost incomparable, and will go on and continue to do great work for Apple, and whatever else he chooses to work on. Quite simply, Tim Cook is an incredible guy!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP
Cook Out
Tim Cook, writing on apple.com:
For the past 15 years I’ve started just about every morning the same way. I open my email and I read notes I received the day before from Apple’s users all over the world.
You share little pieces of your lives with me and tell me things you want me to know about how Apple has touched you. About the moment your mom was saved by her Apple Watch. About the perfect selfie you captured at the summit of a mountain that seemed impossible to climb. You thank me for the ways Mac has changed what you can do at work and sometimes give me a hard time because something you care about isn’t working like it should.
iPhones in Spaaaaaaaace
Tim Cook on X (gross), about iPhones being used on the Artemis II mission:
Congratulations to Artemis II on a successful mission! You captured the wonders of space and our planet beautifully, taking iPhone photography to new heights, and we’re grateful you shared it with the world. Your work continues to inspire us all to think different. Welcome home!
Joz chimed in on X (gross) as well:
Welcome home to the Artemis II crew! Honored that NASA astronauts brought iPhone to space with them. One small step for iPhone. One giant leap for space selfies.