watchOS 26: The MacStories Public Beta Preview

Author’s Note: Apple released the public beta of watchOS 26 last Thursday, two days after developer beta 4. Instead of immediately publishing a preview of watchOS 26, I took the time to review the OS again to ensure my preview accurately reflected the version released as a public beta.

Last year, watchOS 11 emerged from the bumpy launch of Apple Intelligence completely unscathed due to the fact that it included precisely zero AI features. Instead, what Apple Watch users got was a fully formed OS update that took some big swings in addition to refining many areas of the Apple Watch experience. It was a good year with notable updates across the system, particularly when it came to the Smart Stack and health and fitness features.

It’s unfortunate, though perhaps not surprising, that this year’s new watchOS release – dubbed version 26, like its OS brethren – is what might be considered a quiet year. However, after living with the beta for over a month, I’m happy to report that while there aren’t any substantial new features, there are still clever flourishes here and there that make my daily use of the Apple Watch more enjoyable.

Here’s a preview of what you can expect from watchOS 26.

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Folio: A Promising Read-Later App with a Strong Foundation

I’ve been using read-it-later apps since before I had an iPhone. For those of us who were Wi-Fi-only iPod touch users before owning iPhones, apps like Instapaper were great for reading on the go.

Like in those early days, the read-later universe is once again hyper-competitive, with a lot of relatively new entrants such as Matter and Readwise Reader. That’s led to other apps shutting down. ElevenLabs bought and closed Omnivore, and most recently, Pocket, which debuted ages ago as Read It Later and was eventually acquired by Mozilla, shuttered.

In the wake of Pocket’s demise, Nick Chapman, who used to work on Pocket, and the team at Less is Better debuted Folio, a new read-later app for the iPhone, the iPad, Android, and the web that they say is designed to capture the essence of Pocket. I used Pocket on and off over the years but always considered it a step behind alternatives, so my expectations for Folio weren’t high.

Still, I was curious to see what Folio had to offer, especially because it must have been put together very quickly in order to be launched as Pocket shut down. Despite my initial reservations and some gaps in the app’s functionality, the Folio team has laid a great foundation with an excellent reading experience that’s worth keeping an eye on.

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Apple’s Manufacturing Academy Is Set to Open in Detroit on August 19th

First announced in February, Apple said today that its Detroit Manufacturing Academy will open on August 19th. The academy is a collaboration with Michigan State University and according to Apple’s press release will:

host small and medium-sized businesses from across the country in Detroit for various workshops with Apple experts. The courses are designed to help American companies transition to advanced manufacturing by implementing artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing techniques.

Apple says the academy will also offer virtual programming led by its engineers later this year.

Apple is under a lot of political pressure to move its hardware manufacturing to the US. That’s not the kind of thing that can happen overnight but programs like this are a good first step to developing the sort of local expertise necessary to build components for Apple’s gadgets.

Turbulence Forecast: Know Before You Go with 5-Day Flight Turbulence Predictions [Sponsor]

For nearly two decades, anxious flyers have turned to an essential tool before boarding: Turbulence Forecast. This isn’t just another weather app. It’s a specialized service created by experts who have been helping passengers understand and prepare for flight conditions since 2005. Whether you’re a nervous flyer seeking peace of mind or simply want to know what to expect on your upcoming trip, Turbulence Forecast delivers the most detailed turbulence predictions available anywhere.

Turbulence Forecast’s comprehensive approach sets it apart from basic weather apps, with detailed, expert forecasts. These custom reports include an analysis of your specific route, weather patterns, storm systems, and jet stream effects.

The app also features multiple specialized maps: Pilot Reports showing turbulence encounters, Maximum Turbulence Potential maps for route planning, and much more. Turbulence Forecast can generate route forecasts for individual flights and uses a feature called “Drift” to show how forecasts are expected to evolve over time, too. Plus, with an advanced Navigator subscription, you can extend turbulence forecasts up to five days before your trip.

Built for iOS, with full iPad and Android support, the app integrates seamlessly with your travel workflow.

Download Turbulence Forecast on the App Store to start planning smoother flights with confidence. The app is free to download with premium forecasting services and Navigator subscriptions available for those who want the most comprehensive analysis possible. You can learn more about all of Turbulence Forecast’s features on the app’s website.

Our thanks to Turbulence Forecast for sponsoring MacStories this week.

Podcast Rewind: Everyone’s Going Bananas (and Some Tech Talk, Too)

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

Comfort Zone

Someone has lost their bananas, Matt brings Perplexity back from the dead, Niléane has a fun way to use Mastodon, and Chris challenges everyone to up their widget game.

MacStories Unwind

This week, John struggles to update an old Apple TV and two HomePod minis, Federico sets up OTA TV, and they both go bananas over Donkey Kong Bananza.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Hello Weather: The Exceptionally Useful Weather App for iOS, Totally Redesigned for 2025

Magic Rays of Light

Sigmund and Devon begin one last journey to Acapulco and share their early impressions of the Games app.

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AppleCare One Unifies Device Coverage Into a Single Monthly Plan

Apple announced today that it is consolidating its AppleCare+ plans into one program dubbed AppleCare One that will be available starting tomorrow. The new program is $19.99/month which covers three products. Additional products can be added for $5.99/month for each device added.

Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, had this to say of the new plan:

At Apple, we’re focused on creating and delivering exceptional experiences. Built on the trusted foundation of AppleCare+, AppleCare One extends that same reliability and makes it easier than ever to protect the products you love and depend on like iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, combining simplicity and exceptional value.

Apple says that AppleCare One includes all of the features of AppleCare+ and expands the theft and loss protection from the iPhone to the iPad and Apple Watch. The company says that enrolling an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch under the new program will save users up to $11/month compared to buying AppleCare+ for each device separately. Customers can also add existing devices to the new program that are up to four years old (or one year for headphones) if they are in good condition. That’s a big change from the usual 60 days from the date of purchase that customers have had to purchase AppleCare in the past.

If you’re someone juggling multiple AppleCare accounts for a variety of devices, AppleCare one certainly sounds like a simpler, more flexible approach, as well as an opportunity to cover older devices.

Podcast Rewind: Secondary Devices and a Streaming Game Boy Camera

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

This week, Federico and John explain how they use their secondary systems, which for John is the iPad and for Federico, the Mac.

On AppStories+, Federico asks whether technologies like web-based MCP render Apple’s native App Intents irrelevant.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, John kicks off NPC with a return to 1998 before the crew digs into 8BitDo’s new Pro 3 controller, Thunderbolt 5 eGPU enclosures and docks, TrimUI’s ponderous Smart Pro Mini, and Federico and John’s first impressions of the MagicX Zero 40.

Then, Brendon, John, and Federico each bring a handheld they haven’t used in a while back to the show, and as you might expect, Federico’s choice is a bit of a surprise.

On NPC XL, Federico shows off the Lenovo G9 Gamepad.

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Reuters Reports that Apple’s New EU Developer Terms May Avoid Further Penalties→

Reuters reports that Apple is on the brink of satisfying EU regulators with the changes the company has made to its developer program in the EU:

Apple’s changes to its App Store rules and fees will likely secure the green light from EU antitrust regulators, people with direct knowledge of the matter said, a move that would stave off potentially hefty daily fines for the iPhone maker.

Reuters estimates that those fines, which would be on top of the 500 million euro fine already levied against Apple, could be as much as 50 million euros per day.

No deal is finished until it’s formally announced, but if Reuters’ sources are correct, we should see an announcement from the European Commission in the coming weeks.

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Hello Weather: The Exceptionally Useful Weather App for iOS, Totally Redesigned for 2025 [Sponsor]

One of the most beloved indie weather apps just got a massive overhaul, and it’s worth checking out as your new daily driver. The whole app has been modernized and rebuilt from the ground up, and it feels great.

Hello Weather has always been known for its simple, friendly, super readable design, but the new update pairs that simplicity with more depth, sophistication, and powerful new features.

There are beautiful new summaries and visualizations for over a dozen data points like Wind, Air Quality, UV Index, and Moon phases. That’s along with extended hourly forecasts, excellent forecasts for the week ahead, and tons of little options to tune the app’s icons, themes, and layouts however you like them.

The new update addresses some longstanding feature gaps, too: Hello Weather now has push notifications, a revamped radar, and an excellent refreshed Apple Watch app and complications.

It also supports a dozen different data providers. You can switch from Apple Weather’s forecasts to ultra-detailed info from AccuWeather, Foreca, The Weather Company, and lots more. Stick with the source that’s best for your area, or swap between them to compare forecasts.

Hello Weather respects your privacy, with one of the best data collection policies in the category. The app doesn’t track any user-identifiable data, sell ads, or anything like that. It’s a customer-focused app, thoughtfully designed, and made with care.

Download Hello Weather and start a 7-day free trial.