iPhone 17e in the first half of 2026, iOS 18.5 update next week, iPhone 13 satellite connectivity, highlights from Apple's Q2025 25 earnings call, Google Search "simplification" feature, Samsung unveils the ultra-thin SXNUMX Edge, and other exciting news on the sidelines...
Apple requests a halt to its App Store change in its dispute with Epic Games
Apple is facing a legal challenge with Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite. Apple has asked a US appeals court to block a ruling that changes the way its App Store operates. The ruling prohibits Apple from charging fees for purchases made via external links and limits its ability to set conditions for the appearance of these links in iPhone apps. Apple says the ruling could cost it billions of dollars annually and is a severe penalty that affects its control over its business.
The case began when a judge ruled in 2021 that Apple must allow developers to add links to payment methods outside the App Store. But Epic complained that Apple had not fully complied with this ruling and had introduced new rules that limited competition. The judge agreed with Epic, finding that Apple had violated the injunction. Now, Apple is trying to stop these new rules while it appeals the decision, while Epic plans to bring Fortnite back to iPhones and iPads in the US soon.
Samsung unveils The S25 Ultra Slim Edge
Back in January, Samsung announced the S25 series and hinted at an upcoming surprise: the ultra-thin S25 Edge. This new phone will be officially unveiled on Monday, May 12, at a special event. The phone is designed to be thinner than the other S25 models, with powerful features that make it a strong competitor, but it won't be as expensive as the S25 Ultra. Samsung says this phone combines high performance and portability, making it a smart companion thanks to artificial intelligence technologies.
The S25 Edge features a 200-megapixel camera with artificial intelligence. Samsung will launch this phone before Apple unveils its new iPhone 17 Air, which will also be slimmer at 5.5mm. Reports indicate that Samsung may initially sell the phone in South Korea and China due to limited production, before expanding distribution to the rest of the world later.
Google Gemini app is better on iPad
Google has released a new update to its Gemini app for iOS, making it better suited for iPads. Previously, the app ran on iPads but featured a compact iPhone-like interface. Now, the app takes up the full iPad screen, providing a more comfortable user experience. The update also includes the ability to add a Gemini widget to the home screen and connects the app to Google Photos for easy access to photos.
The Gemini app allows users to take advantage of Google's intelligent assistant, which connects to apps like Search, YouTube, Gmail, and Google Maps. The app helps with searching, creating images, studying, or coming up with new ideas. The app is free, but a more advanced version called "Gemini Advanced" requires a $19.99 monthly subscription as part of the Google One AI Premium plan, competing with similar services from other companies.
iPhone users can now seek compensation in Siri spying case
If you own an Apple device that supports Siri, such as an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, HomePod, iPod Touch, or Apple TV, you may be eligible for compensation from Apple. This compensation is part of a $95 million lawsuit settlement related to allegations that Siri accidentally recorded private conversations. Users in the United States can submit claims through July 2, 2025, via a dedicated website. They can claim compensation for up to five devices, provided they confirm that each device inadvertently recorded a private conversation. Each device could receive compensation of up to $20, but the final amount may change depending on the number of claims.
The case began in 2019 following reports that contractors were listening to private conversations due to accidental Siri activation. Apple was unclear at the time that people were listening to Siri recordings, sparking controversy. Although there is no evidence that Apple used Siri recordings for advertising, the company settled to avoid additional litigation costs. Apple emphasized that Siri data is used only to improve the service and is not sold or used for marketing. Following this case, Apple temporarily paused the Siri evaluation program and added options to delete recordings and protect privacy. The funds will be distributed to customers after the final approval hearing on August 1, 2025.
Eddie Cue: Artificial intelligence could replace the iPhone within 10 years
Eddy Cue, a senior Apple executive, has said that the rapid development of artificial intelligence could make the iPhone unnecessary within the next 10 years. Speaking during his testimony in an antitrust case against Google, Cue suggested that wearable devices, such as AI-powered smart glasses, could one day replace traditional smartphones. Although the iPhone remains Apple's core product, the company has yet to find a new product that could replace it. Apple canceled its car project, and its virtual reality headsets didn't sell well, but it is now working on robotics, wearable devices, and advanced smart glasses.
Q was talking about the future in general, and Apple still plans to launch new improvements to the iPhone, such as a foldable model next year, and an iPhone without any camera holes or Face ID by 2027. So far, AI-powered devices without screens, such as the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1, have failed to attract users due to their poor performance.
Google Search app introduces “Simplify” feature to understand complex search results
Google has announced the addition of a new feature called "Simplify" to its search app for iOS devices, which aims to make search results easier to understand. This feature helps users understand difficult words or unfamiliar technical terms, such as medical or technical terms that the average person may not know. The feature relies on artificial intelligence to convert complex text online into a simpler format without the need to search for additional meanings elsewhere.
Users can select any complex text on a webpage and then click the "Simplify" icon to access a simpler version of the text. A Google study showed that users who tried the feature were able to better understand medical, financial, legal, and technical websites after using it.
Apple is preparing to launch a foldable iPhone with unique features.
Apple is preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026, and it is expected to stand out from its competitors in two key ways: FirstThe line or “fold” on the inner display will be almost invisible, giving the user a seamless viewing experience on a screen estimated at about 7.8 to 8 inches. SecondThe device will feature a high-quality hinge made of titanium and stainless steel, enhancing its durability. Leaks also indicate a 5.5-inch external display, two buttons for the rear camera and a front camera, a power button with a fingerprint sensor integrated in place of Face ID, a high-density battery, and a thickness of up to 4.5 mm when unfolded.
Highlights from Apple's Q2025 XNUMX earnings call
Apple announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, generating revenue of $95.4 billion and net profit of $24.8 billion, or $1.65 per share, compared to revenue of $90.8 billion and profit of $23.6 billion, or $1.53 per share, in the same quarter last year.
During the earnings call, Tim Cook addressed several key topics, including tariffs, App Store changes, device sales, and services developments.
The tariffs had a limited impact in the March quarter thanks to Apple's improved supply chain and inventory management, but they could cost the company an additional $900 million in the June quarter if current policies remain unchanged. Cook did not specify whether prices would increase for users. Regarding the App Store in the US, Cook pointed to a recent court ruling requiring changes to the store's rules, explaining that Apple is committed to complying with the ruling but will appeal it.
On the product front, AI features contributed to increased iPhone sales in countries where they are available compared to other countries. Mac devices achieved 6.7% year-over-year revenue growth, thanks to the launch of the MacBook Air and Mac Studio with the M4 processor, with the Mac user base reaching an all-time high.
iPad revenue increased 15.2%, boosted by the launch of the iPad Air (M3) and iPad 11, with more than half of buyers being new.
In contrast, revenue from wearables, home, and accessories declined by 4.9%.
The services segment, including Apple TV+, saw record growth of 11.6% with growth in accounts and paid subscriptions, bringing the total number of paid subscriptions to more than one billion.
Cook also confirmed that Apple is continuing to work on improving the smart Siri features announced at WWDC 2024, but that they will take longer than expected.
Miscellaneous news
◉ Google denied Apple Vice President Eddy Cue's court testimony regarding a decline in Safari searches for the first time in April 2025. This came during an antitrust case against Google by the US Department of Justice. Cue's statement led to a sharp drop in Google's stock price by 7.51%. However, Google published an official blog post confirming that searches are still increasing, including those from Apple devices and platforms, noting that new search features make the service more useful to users. The dispute revolves around a $20 billion agreement that makes Google the default search engine on iPhones. Cue attributed the decline, in his opinion, to people's shift towards artificial intelligence services such as ChatGPT and Cloud, and predicted that these services could replace traditional search engines, which would prompt Apple to add them as search sources within Safari.
◉ Samsung announced a new feature in its wallet called "Tap to Transfer," which allows users to send money simply by holding their phones close together without the need for an additional app. The feature is similar to "Tap to Cash," which Apple introduced in iOS 18, but Samsung also allows iPhone users to send money, provided they have an NFC-enabled card. Samsung's advantage here is that it doesn't require an intermediary app, unlike Apple, which requires a service like Square or Apple Cash.
◉ The upcoming iOS 18.5 update will enable iPhone 13 users to use satellite connectivity features through carriers, although these devices don't have built-in support like the iPhone 14 and later. To use the feature, users must have a subscription to a network that supports this type of connectivity, such as T-Mobile's Starlink Direct service. This feature is useful in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
◉ Apple has announced details of the iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 updates, which will be available to everyone next week. The updates are minor, but they include a useful improvement to the Screen Time feature on iPhone and iPad. Parents will now receive an instant notification when the Screen Time lock code is correctly entered on their child's device. This means parents will know immediately if their child is able to guess or know the code, potentially allowing them to disable or change the parental restrictions.
◉ Amazon has updated its Kindle app for iOS to add a new button called “Get the Book,” which takes users directly to the purchase page on Amazon’s website. This change comes after a court ruling barring Apple from blocking external purchase links or charging a 27% commission on them. This is the first time in years that Kindle users on iOS can access the Amazon store directly from the app, thanks to a court ruling that allows companies like Amazon and Spotify to offer third-party payment options.
◉ YouTube has begun testing a new subscription plan that allows two people to share YouTube Premium benefits, such as ad-free video viewing and background play, at a lower price than the Family plan. The trial is currently available in India, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and is similar to Spotify's Duo plan, requiring both subscribers to live at the same address. YouTube aims to provide greater flexibility for users and win back some subscribers after a recent price hike.
◉ Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that Apple will launch the iPhone 17e in the first half of 2026, as part of a new strategy of staggering iPhone release dates between the beginning and end of the year. Apple aims to close the marketing gap with competitors like Huawei and Xiaomi, which launch their flagship devices in the first half of the year. This move follows the success of the iPhone 16e. Future plans indicate that Apple will continue this trend in the coming years, including launching the first foldable iPhone in late 2026.
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Great news.. Thank you very much 🤩
Thank you very much. I am with the T-Mobile network. They sent me an email in the seventh month that there will be a connection to available satellites without any additional fees.
Satellite Coverage—Available this July
You'll get access to our satellite coverage starting this July at no extra cost
Hi Omar 🙋♂️! Looks like you'll be enjoying satellite service soon, and that's really great! Don't forget to keep your device updated to take advantage of this new feature. And if you have any other questions about Apple products, I'm always here to help. 😊📱🛰️
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