February 2026

iOS & Apple news

Apple introduced new AirTag with expanded connectivity range and improved findability. `The next generation of AirTag — the bestselling item finder — is even easier to locate with more powerful Precision Finding, a longer Bluetooth range, and a louder speaker.'

Apple was founded in on April 1st, 1976. Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary , reports Macrumors & Bloomberg.

RR Auctions announced that Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak Historic Signed 1976 Apple Computer Check (No. 1) to Howard Cantin sold for Sold For $2,4 Million, or 4,800× its original value! The $500 check was issued to printed circuit board designer Howard Cantin, after Jobs and Wozniak opened Apple's first bank account. Cantin was responsible for translating Wozniak's Apple-1 schematic into a manufacturable printed circuit board, leading to Apple's first commercial product.

Apple produced a 2026 Chinese New Year short film-- shot on iPhone 17 Pro. They describe it as: `A girl, a talking dog, and a meticulously thought out scheme make up this heartwarming tale about finding family. Apple joins forces with director Bai Xue for an imaginative blend of cinematography and stop-motion to usher in Chinese New Year.' Take a look:

As usual, Apple also released a behind-the-scenes-loo in making this film: `Fellow pet lover Ke Ming takes us behind the scenes of “Glad I Met You” to reveal what it’s like on set with the crew, the animators, and iPhone 17 Pro. Shot on iPhone 17 Pro.` Take a look:

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users: Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart home in the app entirely.

In honor of February being Black History Month, Apple Apple unveiled the new Black Unity Apple Watch band. The new special edition band is available in 42mm and 46mm case sizes, in band sizes from zero to 12.

Apple's SystemStatus page is indicating that FindMy and some other services are experiencing delays today ( February 10, 2026).

iPhones in space! NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced that NASA astronauts will soon be permitted to fly with `the latest smartphones' -- starting with the SpaceX Crew-12 and Artemis II missions over the next few months:

The EU announced that Apple’s online advertising service Apple Ads and Apple’s online intermediation service Apple Maps should not be designated under the Digital Markets Act (‘DMA’). This is the conclusion after an investigation that started in November. Therefore the platforms will not be subject to stricter regulations in the EU.

As of this month, Apple has started selling iPhone 16 versions in the Apple Refurbished Store online. The prices are about 12% to 22% lower, compared to Apple's current or older pricing for these iPhones.

Apple Explains How Gemini-Powered Siri Will Work. In January, Apple CEO Tim Cook reiterated the structure of its partnership with Google to use Gemini AI models for the next generation version of Siri, reports Macrumors.

(vont'd) `We basically determined that Google's AI technology would provide the most capable foundation for AFM (Apple Foundation Models), and we believe that we can unlock a lot of experiences and innovate in a key way due to the collaboration. We'll continue to run on the device and run in Private Cloud Compute and maintain our industry-leading privacy standards in doing so. In terms of the arrangement with Google, we're not releasing the details of that,' said Cook.

[ RUMOR ] Apple is set to release the first beta version of iOS 26.4 later this month, reports Macrumors based on reporting by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This beta is expected to provide a first real-world look at the Apple Intelligence features promised at WWDC 2024, about 1.5 years ago, features that have been delayed since. It's important to note that Apple is not commenting nor announcing any of this.

Latest macOS 26.3 beta adds to signs that new M5 MacBook Pros are imminent, reports 9to5mac.

[ RUMOR ] A list of expected product releases by Apple in 2026. This is compiled by Macrumors which has been fairly good at prognosticating, generally, though not always.

[ RUMOR ] There are plenty of rumors about the alleged foldable iPhone. Apple Hoping to Outdo Rivals With Tougher Display for Foldable iPhone, reports Macrumors.

iOS apps

Morpholio Trace is a drawing app for architects, landscape architects and interior designers. But you don't need to be a professional to use it. You might be interested in drafting some ideas about landscaping yoru yard or redesigning your living room. Trace has been recognized by Apple as one of the best drawing apps.

Architect Henry Gao is a big fan and user of Trace for his work. So much so that he teaches online classes on how to use Trace to draft designs. Olga reported on completing one of his classes recently and recommends it highly. His latest online workshop is free and open to all: Beginner’s Guide to Morpholio Trace for Landscape Designers, Date & Time: Feb 12, 2026 01:00 PM, AZ Time (12 noon PT). Olga plans to join for fun. .

WatchFit is an app for your iPhone that lets you create custom workouts and schedule them on your watch. ‘WatchFit’ lets you make custom workouts for your Apple Watch, reports 9to5mac and gives an overview of the app.

tips & tricks

Roger S. says: `Here’s a great video from Stephen Robles on continuity tips for Apple products:'

Do you have a HomePod? Make HomePod Alert You to Smoke Alarms, reports Macrumors. This assumes your home has a standard smoke detector. You can then set up your HomePod to recognize the sound and send you an alert.

Olga recommends naming your timers. For example, you can say `Hey Siri, set a rice timer for 12 minutes' instead of saying `Hey Siri, set a time for 12 minutes.' Naming your timers gives you better control. For example, you can later say `Hey siri change to rice timer to 15 minutes' and this will happen easily. Additionally, it's a good idea to name your timers because if you have several going at the same time, you will avoid confusion.

If you put items in your Amazon cart and then use the option "save for later", Amazon will automatically let you know how the price changes: price drops and increases.

gadgets & accessories

Now that Apple released the gen2 version of or AirTags, the gen1 version Gets Major Discounts With 1-Pack at $17 and 4-Pack at $64, at Amazon, reports Macrumors.

MOFT just released a new iPhone accessory: Trackable Snap-on Phone Stand & Wallet . It holds 2 cards. It unfolds into a sturdy stand for your iPhone. It also functions as a comfortable grip. It is findable with Find My and it has a chime when you search for it. Their tag line: `No matter how forgetful you are. With this real-time, trackable, thin wallet, all you need is to open the Find My app to spot where it is every time you're ready to head out the door.'

watch

With valentine's day coming up, Apple watch users will get a Heart Month Apple Watch Activity Challenge on February 14. Apple Watch owners can earn a special award by completing a workout to fill their Exercise ring.

Rivian car software will soon offer an Apple Watch app, with their software v3.9, to be released soon. `This allows you to remotely access and control your vehicle from your Apple Watch. Access to your vehicle is easy: you can lock or unlock your vehicle with a tap of the Lock icon. With the app open, you can start to drive.'

AI

Here is a tip for creating an IOS Shortcut to create a weekly plan for the week ahead. This uses ChatGPT. The shortcut that pulls calendar and reminders and has ChatGPT hand create daily game plan. Take a look at creating this shortcut.

Here is a similar tutorial for how to Automate Your iPhone’s Morning Routine with ChatGPT + Shortcuts:

As you may recall, Jony Ive left Apple a few years ago and created his own design company LoveFrom. In 2024, Jony Ive and OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman embarked on a joint project `to create a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone', reports the NY Times. This venture was title IO and was expected in 2026 sometime. Court filings indicate that OpenAI's Jony Ive-Designed Device Delayed to 2027, reports Macrumors and WRIRED.

ChatGPT will serve its free service with ads, according to OpenAI's post. Also, Ads will be limited to the Free and Go subscription tiers, and will be shown to logged-in adult users. OpenAI does not plan to show ads to minors, and the company claims that ads will not influence the answers that ChatGPT provides. OpenAI also says it will not provide advertisers with content from ChatGPT conversations.

general apps & services

AppliancePartsPros.com lets you look up info on how to fix your appliances: refrigerators, microwaves, and many more. Just type in the model number. It will give you info on parts and how to fix.

next iPUG

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