Apple releases fifth AirPods beta firmware with iOS 27 support
Apple released beta firmware build 9A5347a for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2, making it available to developers and public beta testers.
MacRumors noted that discovery of new manufacturer identifiers in the latest iOS 27 developer beta suggests Apple is expanding its digital car key feature to include vehicles from Lucid and Xiaomi.
Technical references found in Apple's software beta point toward an upcoming integration for iPhone and Apple Watch keys with vehicles from US-based Lucid Motors and Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi.
Expanding Car Key support to Xiaomi marks a significant collaboration between smartphone rivals, while Lucid support fulfills long-standing expectations for the luxury EV brand's integration into the Apple ecosystem.
The report is based on specific backend identifiers found within official Apple developer beta software.
Start with the primary evidence, then review supporting sources and context.
“Code spotted in the third developer beta of iOS 27 suggests that Apple is preparing to add car key support for Lucid and Xiaomi vehicles, and that the feature could be nearing laun”
Recommended from Apple topics and recent confidence changes
MacRumors reported that code spotted in iOS 27 beta 5 appears to point to six iPhone models tied to Apple’s next iPhone lineup. The outlet says the references line up with previously seen internal identifiers for devices such as iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Ultra, and iPhone 18e.
Apple accidentally exposed product identifiers for rumored camera-equipped AirPods in macOS Tahoe 26.7 release-candidate code. The code also included a demo of Visual Intelligence on AirPods Pro.
Apple Newsroom announced revised business terms for apps distributed in the European Union after working with the European Commission. The unified terms include a 5 percent Core Technology Commission for certain digital transactions outside the App Store and take effect October 1.
Apple is reportedly developing a Siri AI-enabled home hub that could launch as soon as 2026, with code references pointing to a Widget Gallery based on the interfaces used across Apple devices.