News
- watchOS 26 is expected to be announced on Monday
- It should run on every watchOS 11-compatible watch
- A major visual overhaul is among the rumored changes
A new software update for the best Apple Watches is on the way, and we just got word about which models are going to be compatible with the new watchOS 26 (which is apparently the new name for watchOS 12).
According to a source "with a proven track record" in contact with MacRumors, every watch that's able to run watchOS 11 is also going to be able to run watchOS 26, so there won't be any devices that are left behind this year.
That means Apple smartwatches as far back as the Apple Watch Series 6 (launched in 2020) and the Apple Watch SE 2 (launched in 2022) are going to be eligible for the new update, as well as all the watches launched since.
If you remember back to last year, after the announcement of watchOS 11, we heard from Apple that the Series 5, Series 4 and the original SE wouldn't be getting the 2024 update. This time around, all the currently supported devices are included.
What's on the way?WWDC 2025 is almost here (Image credit: Apple)Apple hasn't said anything officially yet about watchOS 26 – not even that it's on the way or that it's getting a rebranding – but we've heard plenty of rumors about what the upcoming software update might be bringing with it.
As is mentioned in the same MacRumors article, there's a prediction that watchOS 26 is going to offer support for third-party shortcuts on the watch Control Center for the first time, which should mean an improved experience for users.
A new and improved visual interface is apparently on the way too, which would follow the lead of visionOS, with plenty of transparency and frosted glass effects. In fact, the same redesign is said to be coming for all of Apple's software platforms.
We're also hoping we might get a smattering of Apple Intelligence on the Apple Watch. All of these new features are scheduled to be announced at WWDC 2025 on Monday, before watchOS 26 is released this September with the Apple Watch 11.
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Despite growing enthusiasm for agentic AI across businesses, new research suggests that the rapid expansion of these tools is outpacing efforts to secure them.
A SailPoint survey of 353 IT professionals with enterprise security responsibilities has revealed a complex mix of optimism and anxiety over AI agents.
The survey reports 98% of organizations intend to expand their use of AI agents within the coming year.
AI Agents adoption outpaces security readinessAI agents are being integrated into operations that handle sensitive enterprise data, from customer records and financials to legal documents and supply chain transactions - however, 96% of respondents said they view these very agents as a growing security threat.
One core issue is visibility: only 54% of professionals claim to have full awareness of the data their agents can access - which leaves nearly half of enterprise environments in the dark about how AI agents interact with critical information.
Compounding the problem, 92% of those surveyed agreed that governing AI agents is crucial for security, but just 44% have an actual policy in place.
Furthermore, eight in ten companies say their AI agents have taken actions they weren’t meant to - this includes accessing unauthorized systems (39%), sharing inappropriate data (33%), and downloading sensitive content (32%).
Even more troubling, 23% of respondents admitted their AI agents have been tricked into revealing access credentials, a potential goldmine for malicious actors.
One notable insight is that 72% believe AI agents present greater risks than traditional machine identities.
Part of the reason is that AI agents often require multiple identities to function efficiently, especially when integrated with high-performance AI tools or systems used for development and writing.
Calls for a shift to an identity-first model are growing louder, but SailPoint and others argue that organizations need to treat AI agents like human users, complete with access controls, accountability mechanisms, and full audit trails.
AI agents are a relatively new addition to the business space, and it will take time for organizations to fully integrate them into their operations.
“Many organizations are still early in this journey, and growing concerns around data control highlight the need for stronger, more comprehensive identity security strategies,” SailPoint concluded.
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- Beelink Mate adds ports and storage without changing your Mac mini’s footprint
- Choose between higher speed or maximum 16TB storage capacity option
- Quiet fan cooling and full port selection are offered in a sleek metal design
The Beelink Mate mini docking station offers Mac mini M4 users a sleek way to expand both connectivity and storage.
Designed to match Apple’s compact desktop, it attaches underneath the Mac mini, maintaining a tidy footprint while adding additional functionality.
At its core, the Mate mini supports Thunderbolt 5 with 80Gbps data transfer speeds, allowing for fast external SSD performance and seamless device connectivity.
Choice of modelsThere are two models on offer. Model A features dual PCIe x2 M.2 slots and supports up to 16TB of storage. Model B offers a single PCIe x4 slot that delivers higher speeds, up to 6228MB/s read, but with less total capacity.
That trade-off highlights the dock's main drawback. To reach the full 16TB, you need the version that uses PCIe x2, which is slightly less efficient than the x4 configuration. For most users, this is unlikely to create any real issues.
That said, professionals working with massive files or needing the fastest transfer speeds might feel the pinch.
Aside from storage, the Mate mini delivers a full range of ports. These include a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, USB-A 3.0 ports, an SD 4.0 card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
A Type-C PD port also allows power delivery for peripherals that exceed the Mac mini’s built-in 15W output. Two Thunderbolt 5 cables are included in the box.
A quiet fan and 360° cooling vents help keep the system cool and stable, even during heavy use. The all-aluminum design is finished in silver to match the Mac mini and weighs just 250g.
Priced at $279 (down from $339), the Mate mini targets users looking to extend their Mac mini’s capability without taking up extra space. It may not be perfect, but it does fill a useful role for those seeking extra ports and storage.
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