Report: iPad shipments drop 27.5% as global tablet market plunges in Q3

9to5mac.com Nov 6, 2026

Report: iPad shipments drop 27.5% as global tablet market plunges in Q3

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Nov 6, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Apple’s iPad shipments fell 27.5% year‑over‑year in Q3 2026, dropping to 11.5 million units and 36% of the global tablet market. The overall market shrank 23%, with total shipments falling from 41.8 million to 32.2 million units, the lowest level in nearly three years. Samsung retained second place with 16.9% share, while Lenovo, Xiaomi, and Huawei trailed. Lenovo was the only top‑five vendor to grow, up 11.9%, whereas Huawei declined 43%. Omdia attributes the slump to supply constraints limiting new feature differentiation, prompting consumers to postpone purchases.

💡 Why It Matters

· The sharp decline in iPad sales signals a broader shift in consumer patience for incremental tablet upgrades, potentially reshaping how manufacturers prioritize innovation over volume.

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Apple expected to bid for F1 streaming rights in more countries, says…

Apple secured exclusive Formula 1 streaming rights in the United States, making every race available on Apple TV. Both parties report strong viewership and subscriber gains, though exact figures remain undisclosed. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali indicated Apple may pursue rights in additional markets as opportunities arise, aligning with the sport’s strategy of securing multiple regional partners rather than a single global broadcaster. The UK deal with Sky, renewed through 2034, exemplifies this approach. Apple’s U.S. partnership includes Dolby Atmos audio and expanded Multiview support.

💡 Apple’s expansion into F1 streaming signals a broader push into premium sports content, potentially reshaping how niche audiences access high‑profile events. The move also underscores Formula 1’s strategy of diversified, market‑specific partnerships, which could influence future broadcasting negotiations across the sport.

9to5mac.com · Nov 6

Apple explains how to turn off the new MacBook Pro’s glowing logo

Apple released an official guide for disabling the illuminated logo on its latest MacBook Pro, which reintroduces the glowing Apple emblem after a ten‑year hiatus. The new models use an OLED panel and a separate backlight system, so the logo’s brightness is linked to screen brightness and ambient light via CoreBrightness software. Reviewers noted the logo dims in dark rooms and shines in bright environments, and that it appears as polished metal when the lid is closed. Apple’s support article explains that users can turn the logo off permanently with a Terminal command (sudo defaults write com.apple.CoreBrightness LEBacklightMode -int 0) and re‑enable it by deleting the setting. Reinstalling macOS restores illumination. The option gives power users control over laptop aesthetics.

💡 By exposing a hidden Terminal tweak, Apple empowers technically inclined owners to customize a signature design element, underscoring the company's willingness to let users fine‑tune hardware behavior beyond standard settings.

9to5mac.com · Nov 6

‘Awkwafina: The Unlikely Cook’ premieres on Apple TV

Apple TV has launched “Awkwafina: The Unlikely Cook,” an eight‑episode series starring actor and comedian Awkwafina (Nora Lum) as host and executive producer. The show follows Lum on a quest to learn Asian American cuisine despite her admitted inability to cook, beginning with legacy of her family’s Cantonese restaurant, Lum’s, in Flushing, New York. Each episode pairs her with acclaimed chefs, restaurateurs and family members to explore techniques and cultural narratives. The first two episodes are now available to stream, with the series running through December 18. The series adds to Apple TV’s lineup, which includes “Omnivore” and “Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars,” and marks second partnership between Apple TV and production house Twofour after “The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy.”

💡 By placing a high‑profile Asian American star at the center of a culinary journey, the series spotlights under‑represented food traditions and invites mainstream audiences to engage with the evolving legacy of immigrant cuisine.

9to5mac.com · Nov 5

iOS 27.3 changes the iPhone Duo keyboard, here’s how

Apple’s iOS 27.3 beta introduces a keyboard update for the iPhone Duo, refining the outer display’s typing experience. The update narrows key spacing and reduces font size, making one‑handed input more comfortable. Combined with Reachability, which slides outer display content left or right for easier reach, the changes enhance usability on the Duo’s secondary screen. The update follows earlier iOS 27.2 additions such as Apple Pencil support and Edge Light for video calls, continuing Apple’s incremental improvements to the Duo.

💡 The tighter keyboard layout directly addresses a common user pain point—typing on a small, secondary screen—potentially increasing the Duo’s appeal to multitaskers and accessibility‑focused consumers.

appleinsider.com · Nov 5

Future Apple smart locks could be even smarter about when to automatically…

Apple has filed a patent for “Approach‑Based Lock Control,” a system that would prevent smart locks from unlocking unless an authorized device approaches at specific angles, speeds, or paths. The technology aims to stop accidental or malicious unlocks, such as a thief waiting for a homeowner to walk away. The patent, credited to Zachary A. Rosen, also suggests applications beyond homes, including vehicles, gyms, and safes. Apple’s move underscores its commitment to enhancing smart‑home security.

💡 By adding directional and speed checks, Apple could reduce the risk of unauthorized entry, addressing a key vulnerability in current touchless locks. This refinement may set a new industry standard for secure, context‑aware access control.

9to5mac.com · Nov 5

Apple Arcade adds four games, including Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27…

Apple Arcade added four new titles, including NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition, which for the first time lets players compete with WNBA teams, and Crossy Road Rush, an adventure‑style expansion of the popular franchise featuring obstacle courses and up to four‑player multiplayer. The platform also announced Football Manager 27 Touch, an update to the 26 Touch version with new rosters, a redesigned iPhone interface, and enhanced recruitment tools. Apple highlighted recent updates to other games and noted several titles that will soon leave the catalog. The service costs $6.99/month or is bundled in Apple One.

💡 The addition of WNBA teams to NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition marks a significant step toward gender inclusivity in mainstream sports gaming, offering broader representation and new competitive opportunities for female athletes.