Some seven years later, the iTunes Store is making an unlikely come-back

9to5mac.com Oct 26, 2026

Some seven years later, the iTunes Store is making an unlikely come-back

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 26, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Apple’s retired iTunes desktop app has resurfaced as a niche sales channel for top pop artists. Since the 2019 shutdown, the company split iTunes into separate Music, Podcasts and TV apps, and streaming has dominated. Yet the Financial Times reports a “countermovement” in which musicians such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, Doja Cat, Summer Walker and Tinashe release iTunes‑only tracks or live versions to drive digital purchases. Ariana Grande’s surprise iTunes exclusive of a live “Petal” album lifted the record from No. 15 to No. 6 on the Billboard chart, while Swift’s “Life of a Showgirl” earned higher first‑week sales from physical and digital copies than from streams. Apple continues to market iTunes to labels, and industry observers are watching whether the strategy can sustain adoption.

💡 Why It Matters

· Exclusive iTunes releases let artists convert superfans into direct buyers, instantly boosting chart rankings in a streaming‑centric market.

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OLED iPad mini 8 vs iPad mini 7: Apple’s tiny tablets compared

Apple released the eighth‑generation iPad mini, replacing the iPad mini 7 with a 8.5‑inch OLED Super Retina XDR display that offers 600 nits brightness and 1,200 nits HDR peak, compared to the 8.3‑inch LCD’s 500 nits. The new model weighs 0.56 pounds (Wi‑Fi) and 0.58 pounds (cellular), slightly thinner at 0.21 inches. It uses the A20 Pro chip, supports 5G, and retains a 10‑hour battery life. Prices start at $699, up from $499 for the previous generation.

💡 The OLED upgrade elevates the iPad mini’s visual performance, positioning it closer to Apple’s Pro line while keeping the device pocket‑friendly. This move signals Apple’s intent to standardize high‑quality displays across its tablet lineup, potentially reshaping consumer expectations for compact devices.

9to5mac.com · Oct 26

New iPad mini vs previous model: Here’s everything new

Apple unveiled a refreshed iPad mini that retains the original’s form factor while introducing several hardware upgrades. The device is slightly narrower (132.6 mm vs 134.8 mm) and lighter (255 g vs 293 g for Wi‑Fi models) and now comes in Midnight and Starlight finishes. A reduced‑bezel design expands the screen to 8.5 inches and switches the panel from LCD to OLED, delivering 1200‑nit peak brightness, deeper blacks and P3‑wide‑gamut color, with an optional nano‑texture coating on 256 GB‑plus models. Under the hood sits the A20 Pro chip—Apple’s first 2‑nm processor in a tablet—offering up to 4.5× faster AI, 2.7× better graphics and 60 % faster CPU performance, though only the 512 GB variant receives the full‑spec silicon. Audio moves to an “Acoustic Display” system that pairs woofers and tweeters through the screen, providing louder, richer sound and IP67 water‑dust resistance. Connectivity upgrades include Apple’s N1 and C2 chips, fast charging up to 50 % in 30 minutes with a 35 W adapter, and a new extended‑display mode for multitasking. Pricing starts at $699, ten dollars higher than the prior model, with pre‑orders opening Oct. 28 and shipments slated for Nov. 6.

💡 The OLED panel and 2‑nm A20 Pro chip bring flagship‑level visual and AI performance to a compact tablet, reshaping the mini’s role from niche media player to a serious productivity tool.

9to5mac.com · Oct 26

Watch the iPhone Duo run a Shortcuts automation when it is opened…

A new video demonstrates that the Shortcuts app can run automations when the iPhone Duo is opened or closed. The feature, first spotted in code by developer pdfu last month, now has a public demo by YouTuber Stephen Robles, who uses the “Open” trigger to launch a productivity app automatically. Available triggers include “Opened,” “Closed,” and “Opened or Closed.” Robles confirmed the automation can also lock the device when it folds shut. Viewers suggested playful uses, such as playing the classic AOL Instant Messenger door‑open sound on each fold. The demonstration marks the first visual proof that iPhone Duo users can customize behavior based on the device’s physical state. Developers can now embed these triggers into personal workflows, expanding the Duo’s utility beyond simple notifications.

💡 By tying software actions to the Duo’s fold, users gain a hands‑free way to secure or launch apps, turning the device’s shape into a functional control surface.

9to5mac.com · Oct 26

Apple unveils all-new iPad mini: OLED, thinner design, more

Apple unveiled latest iPad mini, branding it the “biggest update ever.” Tablet features an 8.5‑inch OLED screen with 24 % thinner bezels, 1200‑nit peak brightness, and a 60 Hz refresh rate. At 5.4 mm thick and 255 g, it is slimmer and lighter than prior 6.3 mm, 297 g model, and carries IP67 water‑dust rating. Power comes from A20 Pro processor, which varies slightly between 128 GB/256 GB and 512 GB storage configurations. Apple introduced an “Acoustic Display” that routes sound through panel using hidden woofers and tweeters for richer bass and clearer highs. Camera upgrades include landscape‑edge 12 MP front sensor with Center Stage and 12 MP wide‑angle rear lens supporting Smart HDR 4 and 4K @ 60 fps. Pre‑orders start Oct. 28, and online orders begin today, shipping Nov. 6, with prices from $699 in the United States.

💡 By fitting OLED technology and IP67 protection into a sub‑6 mm tablet, Apple redefines premium compact devices and opens new use cases for on‑the‑go creators.

appleinsider.com · Oct 26

Hinge damage suspected to be behind iPhone Duo screen cracks

Apple’s new iPhone Duo is exhibiting a repeatable screen‑cracking pattern that investigators link to a faulty hinge component. Early adopters reported cracks within hours of launch, typically originating at the crease line and spreading horizontally. YouTuber CuriousHagi reproduced the failure by forcing the hinge backward, hearing a snap, and discovering a sheared hinge element that struck the display. iFixit’s teardown, using patents, footage and CT scans, identified stress concentration where a crossing flex cable meets the central hinge support, noting that the middle hinge is thinner and shows crush marks. Both analyses suggest the hinge does not mesh properly, creating a hotspot that fractures the screen. Apple’s service centers have seen only isolated cases so far as of now.

💡 The defect could erode consumer confidence in Apple’s premium foldable, pressuring the company to issue a rapid fix before the issue scales.

9to5mac.com · Oct 26

Apple teases an ‘exciting week’ of new products ahead

Apple unveiled a major refresh of the iPad mini, equipping it with an A20 Pro processor, OLED screen, thinner chassis, larger display, water‑and dust‑resistance, and upgraded audio. The announcement came ahead of a week‑long product rollout that Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Greg “Joz” Joswiak, hinted at on X, describing the week as “exciting” and beginning with the new iPad mini. The company has already scheduled a press event for Wednesday, October 28, under the tagline “Pro and tell,” and rumors suggest additional launches, including M6‑based iMac and MacBook Pro models tomorrow and a touchscreen‑enabled MacBook Pro redesign on Wednesday. Apple’s staggered reveal mirrors its earlier 2024 strategy that debuted the MacBook Neo before a full keynote. Upgrades aim to boost Apple’s position in segment.

💡 The timing signals Apple’s push to refresh its mid‑range tablet line while layering surprise announcements to sustain media buzz throughout the week.