Another month rolls around, and September is always an exciting one in the Apple world! We have Apple’s annual September event to look forward to, with new iPhones, Apple Watch updates and the release of all the latest software - so there’s certainly plenty happening this month.
We’re also heading into spring, with a welcome change in the weather, and starting to approach the “pointy end” of the year when things always seem to get that little bit busier.
September is definitely going to be a month to watch, so keep an eye on the MacWizardry website throughout the month for all the latest Apple news and updates as they happen.
Enjoy September, everyone!
MacWizardry turns 25!
This year marks a very special milestone for MacWizardry as the business celebrates 25 years of providing Apple sales, support and advice throughout Perth and Western Australia. What started back in May 2001 as a small local business has grown into a trusted source of Apple expertise for hundreds of individuals, families and businesses over the years. Looking back, it's incredible to think how much technology has changed - from the early Power Mac and iMac days through to today's Apple Silicon Macs, iPhones, iPads and cloud-based services. I'd like to sincerely thank all of my clients, both past and present, for their continued support, referrals and loyalty over the past quarter of a century.
Reaching 25 years in business is something I'm extremely proud of, and I look forward to continuing to help clients get the most out of their Apple technology for many years to come.
Before You Upgrade to macOS 27 – What You Need to Know
Apple’s latest macOS 27 update brings plenty of new features and improvements, and you may already be seeing the notification on your Mac inviting you to upgrade. However, as I recommend with most major new macOS releases, there’s no need to rush into installing it straight away.
I generally suggest waiting a month or two after a major macOS release before upgrading your main computer. This gives Apple time to iron out any early bugs and, importantly, gives software and hardware manufacturers time to identify any compatibility issues.
There is also a particularly important change this year for anyone still using an Apple AirPort Time Capsule for their Time Machine backups. macOS 27 no longer supports the older AFP networking protocol used by Time Capsule (essentially, how the computer ‘talks’ to it), which means your Mac will no longer be able to use it as a supported Time Machine backup destination after upgrading. Time Machine itself isn't going away - directly connected external backup drives will continue to work, so this change mainly affects older network-based backup systems such as Apple’s Time Capsule.
If you currently use a Time Capsule, an older network backup system, or you're simply not sure where your Mac is backing up to, I strongly recommend checking your backup setup before upgrading to macOS 27.
There’s nothing wrong with staying on your current version of macOS for a little longer while the dust settles. If you're unsure whether your Mac, software or backup system is ready for macOS 27, feel free to contact me and I can check things over before you upgrade.
Before upgrading to macOS 27:
Check that your Mac officially supports macOS 27.
Make sure you have a current, working Time Machine backup.
Check whether you're using an AirPort Time Capsule or another AFP-based network backup.
Check compatibility of important applications - particularly older or specialist software.
Check printers, scanners and other peripherals.
Make sure you have enough free storage space.
Install the latest updates for your existing macOS first.
Check that important files are actually backed up rather than assuming they're safely stored in iCloud.
If it's a business/work Mac, consider waiting longer until the software you depend on has been proven reliable.
Don't upgrade just because the Mac is prompting you to!
You can read more about macOS 27 on Apple’s website here.
Apple has also released iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. You can read more about what’s new in iOS 27 here, and iPadOS 27 here.
If you’re not sure on anything, I’m happy to discuss it - please feel free to contact me.
Apple September 2026 Event – What’s New
Apple held its annual September event last evening, unveiling the latest updates across the iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods ranges. This year also brought something very different - the introduction of the all-new foldable “iPhone Duo”, marking a new direction for the iPhone line-up. Here’s a look at what Apple announced:
iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max
The new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max bring some substantial improvements this year, powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip. The 48MP main camera now features a variable aperture, giving greater control over photos, while the Dynamic Island has also been made smaller and more useful. Battery life has received another boost, particularly on the Pro Max, and both models feature improved cooling for better sustained performance. They come in Black, Silver, Glacier and a new Burgundy finish, with storage ranging from 256GB right through to 2TB. Pricing starts from $2,099 and you can learn more here.
Apple's "One more thing" - iPhone Duo
Perhaps the biggest surprise of this year’s event was Apple’s first-ever foldable iPhone - the iPhone Duo. About the size and shape of a passport when closed, it opens to reveal a large 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display, giving you something much closer to an iPad-style experience while still fitting in your pocket. It supports side-by-side apps with Split View multitasking and can be positioned at different angles for watching videos, FaceTime calls and more. When unfolded, it’s also the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever made. The iPhone Duo starts at $3,499 and, unlike the other new iPhones, won't arrive until 23 October. You can read more about it here.
You may notice there’s no standard iPhone 18 this time around - Apple has changed its usual release schedule, with the next non-Pro iPhone models expected to arrive next year.
Apple Watch Series 12
Apple Watch Series 12 places an even greater emphasis on health, with Apple’s new Health Sensing System providing more frequent heart-rate and heart-rate variability measurements. A new “Readiness” feature looks at your activity, sleep and other health information and gives you a daily score from 0–10, helping indicate whether you should take it easy or you’re ready for a more active day. The new Health system also ties into a redesigned Health app on iPhone, with more personalised information and insights. Pricing starts from $649. More information can be found here.
Apple Watch Ultra 4
For those wanting Apple’s top-of-the-range Watch, the new Apple Watch Ultra 4 gains the same Health Sensing System and new Readiness features, along with the new S11 chip. Apple has also improved battery life, with up to 50 hours of everyday use, or up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode. For serious outdoor activities, a special Max Extended Workout mode can provide up to 45 hours of workout tracking. It continues with the rugged titanium design and is available in Natural or Black Titanium. Pricing starts from $1,349 and you can read more here.
AirPods 5
The new AirPods 5 bring some of the features previously found higher up the AirPods range to Apple’s standard open-ear model. They feature a redesigned acoustic system, improved sound quality and significantly improved Active Noise Cancellation, with Apple claiming up to 50% more external noise reduction than AirPods 4 with ANC. They also support features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Live Translation. A version with a Wireless Charging Case also adds longer battery life and volume control directly from the AirPods stem. Pricing starts from $219. You can read more here.
Health & Fitness
Apple also announced some major changes to the Health experience across iPhone and Apple Watch. A redesigned Health app will use Apple Intelligence to provide more useful and personalised insights, including a new Insights section and a Longevity section looking at longer-term trends. One particularly interesting addition is “Health Age”, which uses information collected by Apple Watch to compare aspects of your health and fitness with your actual age. Apple says the changes are designed to make all the information collected by its devices easier to understand and more useful day-to-day.
iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 & watchOS 27
Apple’s latest operating systems are also arriving, bringing the next generation of Apple Intelligence and the much-anticipated new Siri AI. Siri can make better use of personal context from information such as your messages, emails and photos, understand what’s currently on your screen and answer much broader questions. There are plenty of other changes throughout Apple’s apps and operating systems too, which I’ll cover in more detail on the MacWizardry website as we all get some time to explore them.
If you’d like to compare the three new iPhone models side-by-side, Apple has a handy comparison page which you can access here.
If you want to watch the whole event, which runs for about 1 hour and 11 minutes, you can access it here.
If you’re after one of the new iPhones, I can source these as well, so please feel free to drop me an email. As with most new Apple releases, initial stock can sometimes be limited, so there may be a little bit of a wait depending on the model, colour and capacity you’re after.
Over the next few months, I’m sure we’ll discover plenty more about all the new products and features as they make their way out into the “real world” and everyone gets a chance to have a bit more of a play.
eBooks Online - your source for Digital eBook’s ‘Down Under’
After quietly working on a new venture since mid-last year, I’m excited to announce that it’s now live!
The first eBook—"Avoiding Scams Down Under"—is available now, with more titles to come.
With scams on the rise in recent years, this eBook is a valuable resource to help you stay informed and protected. It covers key warning signs, practical steps to safeguard yourself and your finances, and crucial advice on recovering if you’ve been scammed.
Sadly, I’ve seen too many people fall victim to scams, which is why I hope this eBook will make a real difference by equipping more people with the knowledge they need.
