Apple today shifted its messaging concerning Apple Watch try-on appointments, which were required in the early days following the wearable's launch to be able to interact with and size the various models of the Watch. The messaging of try-on appointments has now largely vanished from the Apple Watch's online storefront, with a notification encouraging customers to visit their local Apple Watch store for workshops on the device or "just walk in to try Apple Watch on."
In reality, walk-in customers have generally been able to arrange immediate try-on sessions for some time now as the crowds have significantly lessened following the initial surge. With Apple gearing up to begin in-store sales of the Apple Watch in just a few weeks, however, the company is already changing its customer guidance to omit the recommendation of making an appointment.
Even though the messaging is pivoting away from scheduled appointments, it should be noted that retail stores are still accepting try-on appointments for customers wanting to ensure their time with the Apple Watch. Try-on sessions may become a bit busier once in-store sales begin, so at that point appointments may become more advisable.
Friday December 5, 2025 9:40 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple is about to release iOS 26.2, the second major point update for iPhones since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least 15 notable changes and improvements worth checking out. We've rounded them up below.
Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26.2 to compatible devices sometime between December 8 and December 16. When the update drops, you can check Apple's servers for the ...
Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent.
Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
Wednesday December 3, 2025 10:33 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming two weeks after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates represent the final versions of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found during this final week of testing....
Thursday December 4, 2025 9:30 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In a statement shared with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple confirmed that its software design chief Alan Dye will be leaving. Apple said Dye will be succeeded by Stephen Lemay, who has been a software designer at the company since 1999.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Dye will lead a new creative studio within the company's AR/VR division Reality Labs.
On his blog Daring Fireball,...
Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by Juli Clover
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week.
Past Launch Dates
Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
Friday December 5, 2025 10:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Intel is expected to begin supplying some Mac and iPad chips in a few years, and the latest rumor claims the partnership might extend to the iPhone.
In a research note with investment firm GF Securities this week, obtained by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu said he and his colleagues "now expect" Intel to reach a supply deal with Apple for at least some non-pro iPhone chips starting in 2028....
Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
A U.S. appeals court has upheld a temporary restraining order that prevents OpenAI and Jony Ive's new hardware venture from using the name "io" for products similar to those planned by AI audio startup iyO, Bloomberg Law reports.
iyO sued OpenAI earlier this year after the latter announced its partnership with Ive's new firm, arguing that OpenAI's planned "io" branding was too close to its...
The iPhone Air has recorded the steepest early resale value drop of any iPhone model in years, with new data showing that several configurations have lost almost 50% of their value within ten weeks of launch.
According to a ten-week analysis published by SellCell, Apple's latest lineup is showing a pronounced split in resale performance between the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air....
Thursday December 4, 2025 5:18 am PST by Tim Hardwick
iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020.
If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lenses with your hand to...
This was the most botched up launch ever done. I can't believe that Angela whatever her name is in charge of this has got away with no proper criticism of her handling. Absolute joke. She has no comprehension of the true apple customer. Making people come in to make an appointment to have to come back a second time to try it on and then buy. Everyone had already ordered the thing online. They didn't need extra staff on launch day as purchases were already made. She spoilt what could have been an exciting release and turned it into a confusing damp squid. And She's the highest paid whatever in the world. Joke ! She was brought in for her fashion connections but I doubt it would have been that hard to tap into the fashion world without her. Apple is a world renowned respected brand and would have played ball with or without her influence. Am so annoyed by the handling Of it all. Though I do respect tims ethos of bringing in new talent and expanding, however there is no question that this was a mistake.
I walked in on "launch day" and tried one on straight away. The employee I spoke to said "We've got to have lots of staff because it's a launch day, but we haven't had a crowd because you can't buy them in store."
Most of the staff were wondering around without much to do. People seemed as interested in the watch as any other product.
Which is why this launch was such a screwed up mess.
The people who were most excited about the Apple Watch and really wanted to try it on, were forced to order it online, as that was the only way to get one.
Therefore, most of those people had decided upon a watch, and didn't need to try it on.
The only people you got were people who only heard about the Apple Watch from media, walk-bys at the mall, and people who already purchased but were curious to see it in person.
There should have been a try-on period for 2 weeks before pre-orders started on April 24, with immediate shipping. THIS would have made sense.
It makes sense when you have people spending $17,000+ Edition wanting to buy a watch but then end up in the waiting line for someone to buy a $200 sports watch.
No it doesn't. When I walk into a Rolex boutique and want to look at a $20k watch I don't make an appointment. I walk in and that's that.
Appointments is not how the rest of high street operates.
I had the appointment for first thing on the non-launch date. I think Apple is still missing the whole point (or they are not and just simply trying to spin the story). People who walk in want to walk out with something in their hand (or on their wrist). I am very happy with my watch now that it has been delivered, but the whole experience of going in, only to be forced to order, only to be forced to wait over a month, seems like a complete failure no matter how much they try to spin.
How does someone just walk out with product when there isn't any in stock? Plus Apple said from day one it would initially be online only so anyone going to a store expecting to walk out with the Watch only has themselves to blame.
so what you are saying is that spin worked very well for you. okay. It did not work on me however.
Apple did not say it was online only on day 1. They admitted that they had no stock after pre-orders started and before launch date (which effectively made it a non-launch). And even then, so what. A customer expectation is always to go in buy something and walk out. Otherwise, I would stay at home and purchase on-line. It really is a bad thing that you can walk into a store but not actually have the option to buy something.
