No iOS 19, WhatsApp for iPad, a much smaller version of the Macintosh that works, the iPhone 16 tops the list of best-selling phones, a US court stops Trump's tariffs, an iPhone with a 200-megapixel camera, Android phones with Qualcomm modems that outperform the iPhone 16e's modem, and other exciting news on the sidelines...
Transferring your phone number from iPhone to Android may become easier with the iOS 19 update.
The iOS 19 update may make transferring a phone number (eSIM) from an iPhone to an Android phone easier. According to a report, evidence has been found in the Android 16 beta that suggests a new feature that would allow for easy wireless transfer of an eSIM from an iPhone to an Android device.
Currently, transferring an eSIM from iPhone to iPhone is simple, but transferring it to an Android device is different, as it requires contacting your carrier. With the new update, this feature may be added to the iPhone settings under the "Transfer or Reset iPhone" section. Apple may also offer the option to use a QR code as a backup solution if the wireless connection fails. Transferring is expected to require iOS 19, and we may hear more about this feature at the next Apple event or it may be quietly introduced.
Apple launches a standalone gaming app with the iOS 19 update.
Apple will launch a new gaming app for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, according to a report from Bloomberg. The app will allow users to easily launch games and will feature in-game achievements, leaderboards, editorial content, and tools for connecting with others. The app will be preinstalled on devices with iOS 19, macOS 16, and tvOS 19 updates and is expected to be announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9.
The new app will replace Game Center, which was used to invite friends to play and track achievements. The app will include all third-party games currently available in the Games section of the App Store, as well as promote Apple Arcade. The goal is to make finding and downloading games easier, and Mac users will be able to access games downloaded from outside the App Store. The app will be unveiled at the conference and will become available in September with the release of new updates.
Android phones with Qualcomm modems outperform the iPhone 16e in 5G network testing.
A new report from Cellular Insights, commissioned by Qualcomm, reveals that two unnamed Android phones equipped with the Snapdragon X75 and X80 modems achieved better 5G speeds than the iPhone 16e, which uses Apple's C1 modem. Tests were conducted on T-Mobile's 5G network in New York City, in a variety of environments, including indoors and outdoors. The results showed that the Android phones consistently outperformed the iPhone 16e, especially indoors, recording up to 35% faster download speeds and up to 91% faster upload speeds. The report also noted that the iPhone 16e overheated during testing, but it's unclear if this affected performance.
The report indicated that the two Android phones are priced at $619 and $799 in the US, while the iPhone 16e starts at $599. The report concluded that devices with Qualcomm modems clearly outperform the iPhone 16e for those looking for strong and stable 5G performance. However, Apple's C1 modem is power-efficient, allowing the iPhone 16e's battery to last longer than any other 6.1-inch iPhone. Apple is looking to improve performance in the future with the upcoming C2 and C3 modems.
Rumors of the iPhone being equipped with a 200-megapixel camera like the Galaxy S25 Ultra
According to a user named Digital Chat Station on China's Weibo platform, Apple is testing a 200MP camera. This user has previously provided accurate information about Apple products. The post didn't provide further details, but it's likely this camera will be used in the main rear camera of a future high-end iPhone model. Samsung previously introduced a 200MP camera in the S23 Ultra in 2023, and it has continued to be used in the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra.
A 200MP camera will allow the iPhone to capture more detailed photos, allowing images to be enlarged or printed at larger sizes without losing quality. Rumors suggest that the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models will feature 48MP cameras, so a 200MP camera isn't expected this year. This camera hasn't yet been mentioned for the iPhone 18 Pro models, meaning it could be a few years away.
Elon Musk confronts Apple over satellite connectivity features
Elon Musk entered into a dispute with Apple over the satellite connectivity feature. When Musk learned that Apple was planning to launch this feature on the iPhone 14 in partnership with Globalstar, he offered Apple that SpaceX would provide the service exclusively for 18 months for $5 billion upfront, and then pay $72 billion annually for the Starlink service. Musk threatened that if Apple did not agree within 14 hours, he would announce a similar feature for the iPhone. Apple rejected the offer, and two weeks before the iPhone XNUMX announcement, SpaceX revealed a partnership with T-Mobile that would enable sending and receiving text messages in areas without coverage using Starlink.
SpaceX also filed legal challenges against Globalstar, a company Apple uses, to prevent it from using licensed radio spectrum, which could disrupt iPhone satellite service. SpaceX accused Globalstar of underutilizing the spectrum and attempted to block the launch of new satellites in 2023. These moves angered Apple officials, who preferred to avoid conflict. Musk also asked Apple to support T-Mobile's service across a wide range of iPhone models, but Apple refused to support the service on models older than the iPhone 14, frustrating Musk. These disputes have increased tensions between Musk and Apple, especially given previous disagreements over App Store fees, and Musk is reportedly considering building a Tesla phone with Starlink.
US court halts Trump tariffs that nearly sent iPhone prices over $4000
The U.S. Court of International Trade has issued a ruling preventing President Donald Trump from imposing broad tariffs on imported goods, including Apple products, after he exceeded his authority. This decision halted plans that could have led to a significant increase in iPhone prices in the United States. The ruling came after the court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 does not allow the president to impose tariffs on foreign goods without congressional approval, deeming such a move to grant the president unlimited and unconstitutional trade authority.
The Trump administration had intended to impose a 25% tariff on all iPhones manufactured outside the United States, which would have raised the price of the 16TB iPhone 1 Pro Max from $1599 to more than $4300 in the worst-case scenario, and the 16GB iPhone 128e to around $1617. These tariffs were part of the "Liberation Day" initiative, which included a 30% tariff on Chinese goods, rising to 145% in August, in addition to a 25% tariff on Apple. The decision followed two lawsuits by the Liberty Justice Center on behalf of five US companies, and another lawsuit by 12 states led by Oregon, which invalidated these tariffs and protected consumers from significant price increases.
iPhone 16 tops the list of best-selling phones in the first quarter of 2025
According to Counterpoint Research estimates, Apple's iPhone 16 was the best-selling model globally in the first quarter of 2025, followed by the iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 15 in the top four, while Samsung's A16 5G took fifth place. Last year, the iPhone 15 Pro Max was the best-selling model in the first quarter of 2024, narrowly beating out the iPhone 15. Apple has narrowed the gap between its regular and pro models, with the iPhone 16 featuring an A18 chip that's nearly as fast as the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with shared features like the Action button and camera control button.
Of the top 10 best-selling phones in the first quarter of 2025, Apple claimed five spots, including the top four, and the iPhone 16 Plus took tenth place. Samsung's S25 Ultra came in seventh, and the rest of the list comprised lower-cost models. The iPhone 16e, which starts at $600, ranked sixth in March 2025, its first full month on the market, and is expected to outsell the iPhone SE in its first year thanks to its advanced features. The iPhone 16 achieved strong sales in Japan, the Middle East, and Africa, but faced challenges in China due to government subsidies for lower-cost devices and competition from companies like Huawei.
Google updates Photos app with new AI-powered editor
Google has announced an update to its Google Photos app with a new AI-powered photo editor designed to simplify the photo editing process. It offers intelligent suggestions for combining multiple effects and quickly creating eye-catching edits, as well as the ability to tap specific parts of an image for personalized editing tips. Google has also added a new feature to make sharing albums easier by generating a QR code that can be shared with people nearby, printed for group events, or sent digitally. The update is available first for Android users and will be available to iOS users later this year. It celebrates the 1.5th anniversary of Google Photos, which is used by more than XNUMX billion people every month and contains over nine trillion photos and videos.
A very small version of the Macintosh computer
1-bit rainbow, a reseller of vintage Apple parts, has created a functional miniature Macintosh called the pico-mac-nano. It houses a Raspberry Pi Pico microprocessor and a 128-inch LCD screen inside a 56D-printed case that mimics the original Macintosh XNUMXK. The miniature is actually functional, running a simulated version of the classic Mac operating system and supporting a keyboard and mouse via USB with a built-in splitter cable. The site sells the device for £XNUMX, but it sold out after being widely circulated on tech sites. Pre-orders are resuming “soon,” and those interested can even build one themselves, as the code and XNUMXD-printing files are freely available on GitHub.
No iOS 19: Apple Moves Directly to iOS 26
Apple is planning to rename all of its operating systems to year names rather than version numbers, according to a report from Bloomberg. iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS will now carry the number “26” instead of the current variants. This change aims to standardize naming across all products, rather than having discrepant numbers. Apple will use a car-like numbering pattern and chose the next year number because the update will be available in 2025 and 2026. The new names reflect Apple’s efforts to provide a unified design across its operating systems with a new design update similar to visionOS. Apple will announce the new naming scheme at its Worldwide Developers Conference, which begins Monday, June 9.
Miscellaneous news
◉ Apple announced the expansion of its Messages and Find My Device satellite services to Mexico, allowing iPhone users to send messages and update their location when there is no mobile network or Wi-Fi. The service requires an iPhone 14 or later with the device held up to the sky in open areas to connect to satellites. The service is available for free in the United States, Canada, and Mexico and supports text messages and emoji, but not photos or videos.
◉ The European Commission imposed a €500 million fine on Apple for violating the European Digital Markets Act, giving it until June 22 to bring its App Store into compliance or face additional fines. The Commission accuses Apple of preventing developers from informing users of alternative payment methods outside the App Store and charging a 27% commission on overseas purchases, compared to 30% within the App Store. Apple responded that the decision threatens the privacy and security of European users and forces it to provide its technology for free, and announced its intention to appeal the decision.
◉ Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the App Store Accountability Act, which requires Apple and Google to verify the ages of app store users and obtain parental consent for users under 18 to download or make in-app purchases. The law will take effect on January 2026, XNUMX, making Texas the second US state to pass such a law after Utah last March. Apple and Google opposed these laws, citing privacy concerns related to the collection of age information for all users, while Apple announced new child safety measures requiring age selection when setting up new devices.
◉ Apple has acquired the two-person game studio RAC7, which developed the popular Apple Arcade game “Sneaky Sasquatch.” RAC7 will become an internal game studio within Apple to continue developing and improving Sneaky Sasquatch, which was one of the first games available at the launch of Apple Arcade and remains extremely popular. This is Apple’s first acquisition of a game studio, as the company typically focuses on collaborating with external developers. The Apple Arcade subscription costs $6.99 per month and includes hundreds of games at no additional charge.
◉ Meta announced the availability of WhatsApp for iPad, more than 15 years after its launch. The company began beta testing last September via TestFlight. WhatsApp allows users to link up to four devices to their accounts, even if their primary smartphone is offline. Each device connected to WhatsApp connects independently, ensuring end-to-end encryption for messages, media, and calls. While Meta owns the Facebook iPad app, Threads is still only available for iPhone. Reports indicate that an Instagram iPad app is in development. WhatsApp for iPad is available for download now from the App Store.
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Every second day, the European Commission raises fines for its violations.
The existence of the Commission is entirely dependent on Apple.
I know the reason why Apple jumped from iOS 19 to iOS 26
Simply because Apple has a problem with the number 9.
I have a question why iOS 9 was released
iPhone 9 will not be released
After iPhone 8, Apple jumped to iPhone 10?
This clumsy, convincing Elon wants a share in everything. It seems that Trump and his method of imposition and punishment have influenced him to believe that his goods are not acquired by consent, but by force. This is weak logic and reflects a lack of trust in the products of the monstrous SpaceX and Grok. He reluctantly wants to succeed, and this is the hallmark of a spoiled loser. And when the apple doesn't choose you, know that you are not the best, and this will destroy his reputation before he squanders the billions he dreams of imposing.
Strong from Apple
The jump from iOS 18 to iOS 26 is huge and will take a very, very, very long time.
The shock is that it even supports the iPod touch provided that iOS 15.1 is installed on it. Of course, as usual in WhatsApp’s malicious policy, these old devices will not last and major updates have been stopped for them. That means this year, and then updates will stop for it. The application will also stop as a policy of gradual support for relatively newer systems, unlike Telegram. If updates accumulate on you, it does not force you to update and does not close the application if you do not update it in the store!