News on the Fringe Week 6 - June 12

Apple learns an important lesson at WWDC 2025, iOS 26 improves third-party alarm apps, code in iOS 26 references “AirPods Pro 3,” Apple removes some watch faces, Google Chrome stops supporting devices like the iPhone X and iPhone 8 running iOS 16, and other exciting news on the sidelines…

iOS 26 improves third-party alarm apps

In the new iOS 26, Apple is introducing a tool called "AlarmKit" for developers of apps that include alarms or timers. This tool gives apps access to the same capabilities that were previously exclusive to Apple's Clock app. App developers can now create alarms that work even when the iPhone is in silent or Focus mode, with options to display a full screen for snoozing or stopping, integration with the Lock screen, a dynamic island, and Apple Watch.

In previous versions, such as iOS 18, third-party alarm apps had issues, such as stopping the alarm if the iPhone was restarted or the app was updated, or silencing alerts in Focus Mode. There was also a limit to the number of alarms that could be set.

Now, with AlarmKit, you can create unlimited alarms with repeat options, and more powerful alerts that aren't just regular notifications.

Apple's Clock app also received a new design in iOS 26, featuring a larger time display, clearer snooze and pause buttons, and the ability to select snooze durations from 15 to 9 minutes, instead of the previous fixed XNUMX minutes.

iOS 26 lets you report unwanted voicemails

In iOS 26, Apple added new features to the Phone app, including a feature to report unwanted voicemails. When listening to a voicemail from an unknown number, a "Report Junk" button appears, allowing you to send the message to Apple with the option to keep or delete it.

The system also includes a “call screening” feature that asks callers not in your contacts to provide their name and the reason for the call before transferring it to you.

In the Messages app, unwanted messages are separated into a separate folder, separate from messages from unregistered numbers, and misclassified messages can be reported. These messages are silenced without notification, but these features can be disabled in the app settings. The system is currently available to developers and will be released to the public with the iPhone 17 in the fall.

Apple announces 10 airlines supporting improved boarding passes in iOS 26.

Apple announced that iOS 26 improves boarding passes in the Wallet app, now supporting Live Activities to display flight details directly on the iPhone Lock screen or the Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models and later.

It also includes shortcuts to Apple Maps for quick airport directions and the Find My Baggage app for tracking luggage, with automatic flight updates such as boarding gate and departure time.

These features will be available with 10 airlines, including Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, Jetstar, Lufthansa, Qantas, and Virgin Australia. The system is currently available to developers, with a general release in September.

Apple ousts other companies' apps at WWDC 2025

At WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled new features for its new operating system, but some of these features have angered other companies' app developers because they mimic or replace the functionality of their apps, a phenomenon known as "Sherlocking." The term harks back to an old Apple search tool called "Sherlock," where Apple added Watson-inspired features without compensating its developers. Today, the term is used to describe apps that are replaced by new Apple features, threatening their viability.

Among the new features: improved Spotlight search to suggest apps and direct commands, similar to Raycast and LaunchBar; call screening that records details of unknown callers, similar to Robokiller and Truecaller; package tracking in the Wallet app, similar to shipping tracking apps; and flight tracking via live activity, similar to Flighty.

Apple also added support for AI model integration into Xcode, which competes with Alex, local video recording on iPad is similar to Riverside, and the Notes app on Apple Watch competes with other note-taking apps. Some of these apps may maintain their distinction with additional features, but they face strong competition from Apple.

Apple updates design resources in iOS 26 with the Liquid Glass interface.

Apple has announced new design files for developers and designers working on iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26. This follows its unveiling of a new design language called "Liquid Glass" at WWDC 2025. This design features a translucent appearance that reflects its surroundings and dynamically changes to focus attention on content, whether in buttons, menus, or app icons. These changes represent the largest visual overhaul since iOS 7.

The files include templates for design applications like Sketch, Photoshop, and Illustrator, and contain multiple elements like keyboards and customizable tab bars that collapse as you scroll, keeping the focus on the content.

In the new macOS, elements such as the arrow buttons and color palettes have been updated to reflect the transparent design. Apple has not yet released any design files for tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS.

WhatsApp supports Apple in its legal battle against the UK government's demands regarding encryption.

WhatsApp announced it will stand with Apple in its legal case against the UK Home Office, which demands the company provide access to encrypted user data. WhatsApp warned that the case could set a "dangerous precedent" and encourage other governments to demand that encryption be broken.

Apple received a confidential notice requesting a backdoor to access encrypted iCloud data globally, prompting it to completely remove Advanced Data Protection from UK users' devices.

WhatsApp has confirmed that it will reject any law or government request that seeks to weaken encryption protections, emphasizing users' right to privacy.

This issue has sparked criticism within the United States, with some politicians describing it as a threat to the country's digital security. US intelligence also viewed Britain's demands as a "blatant violation of citizens' privacy."

The British court refused to hold the case sessions in secret, describing it as “highly exceptional.”

For its part, the British government says its primary goal is to protect people while respecting privacy, noting that these powers are used to investigate serious crimes such as terrorism and child abuse. Apple, for its part, believes that creating "backdoors" would put all users at risk.

Apple Learns an Important Lesson at WWDC 2025

At WWDC 2024, Apple promised to improve Siri to make it smarter, but the launch was delayed to 2026, exposing it to lawsuits for false advertising and much criticism. It also failed to launch the new CarPlay in 2024 as promised in 2022, but finally launched CarPlay Ultra in May 2025 for luxury Aston Martin vehicles in the United States and Canada.

At WWDC 2025, Apple appeared more cautious, avoiding announcements of new features with release dates as distant as "later this year." It focused on updates nearly ready for September releases like iOS 26, only mentioning previously announced language support for Apple's AI. This approach reflects a new strategy to avoid premature promises, as Bloomberg reports, demonstrating that Apple has learned from its past mistakes.

iPadOS 26 updates the way you handle multiple apps and eliminates Split View and Slide Over

With iPadOS 26, Apple has made significant changes to the way multitasking works on the iPad, eliminating the old Split View and Slide Over features. Now, multiple apps can be opened in separate windows that can be freely resized and arranged on the screen, just like on a Mac. This system supports all iPad models running iPadOS 26, but older devices are limited to four open apps, while newer devices can accommodate more.

New windows allow apps to be stacked or viewed side by side, maintaining their order even after the device is closed. Windows can be controlled with Mac-like buttons for resizing or closing, and similar settings menus appear. All open apps can be viewed with an upward swipe, and heavy tasks run in the background. These improvements make the new system more powerful and flexible, reducing the need for the previous two features.

Apple removes some Apple Watch faces in watchOS 26

In the watchOS 26 update, Apple removed several popular watch faces from the previous system, including Fire/Water, Gradient, Liquid Metal, Vapor, and Toy Story, according to a post on Reddit. While Apple didn't add new watch faces in this update, some existing watch faces received designs inspired by "liquid glass." Apple didn't explain the reason for the removal, but it may be due to lack of use.

iOS 26 code reveals AirPods Pro 3 development

iOS 26 code has revealed references to the "AirPods Pro 3," confirming that Apple is working on a new version of the AirPods Pro that could arrive in September 2025. The reference appeared in a headphone-related interface, and it's not the first time, as Apple renamed the second-generation models to "AirPods Pro 2 or later" last month. The new model is expected to feature a slimmer earbud and case design, a faster audio chip for improved noise cancellation and sound quality, and the ability to measure heart rate and temperature. For more details, see our dedicated guide, which is regularly updated with new rumors.

Miscellaneous news

◉ Apple confirmed that the new Siri features it showcased at WWDC 2024 were not just a demo, but actually worked. However, their launch was delayed due to quality issues, and the company is now developing a new Siri architecture. These features, scheduled for release in 2026, include understanding user context, interacting with apps more intelligently, and more.

◉ Apple is adding a new package tracking feature to the Wallet app in iOS 26. It will use Apple's intelligence to automatically scan emails for tracking numbers from stores and shipping companies, allowing shipments to appear in the app even if they weren't purchased with Apple Pay. This feature was previously limited to Apple Pay purchases, but now includes all packages. It can be enabled in Settings, but it's still in beta. 

◉ In an interview during WWDC, Craig Federighi explained that the initial architecture developed for Siri's personal features was limited and not up to the desired level of quality, prompting Apple in spring 2025 to adopt an entirely new architecture to ensure a better experience. This shift led to the features being postponed until 2026, and they are expected to launch in the iOS 26.4 update next spring. However, the company is continuing to work on improving them. Features include Siri's understanding of the user's personal context, intelligent interaction with screen content, and deeper control of apps. 

◉ In iOS 26, Apple has enhanced the Weather app with a new feature that sends severe weather alerts for places you may visit soon, using "proactive intelligence" to anticipate your travel destinations. The feature relies on your location settings and routes, and requires always-on access to the Weather app and severe weather alerts. This helps travelers or visitors prepare for severe weather before arriving. The feature also enables automatic weather widgets to be displayed on Apple Watch and integrates with emergency satellite networks to receive alerts without an internet or cellular network.

◉ In iOS 26, Apple is introducing Verify with Wallet on the Web, a feature that allows you to use your driver's license or digital ID to verify your age and identity in a secure and private way online. Instead of uploading a photo of your ID to buy drinks or rent a car, websites can simply request information like your name and date of birth, informing you how that information will be used. The feature works seamlessly in Safari on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and supports other browsers and operating systems via QR code scanning with Face ID. The feature supports government-issued IDs and passports added in iOS 26, as well as third-party apps that store licenses. The process is fully encrypted to prevent data leaks, and support for the feature will begin on sites like Chime, Turo, Uber Eats, and U.S. Bank this fall.

◉ In iOS 26, Apple is introducing a digital ID feature that allows iPhone users to add a US passport to the Wallet app starting in fall 2025, to replace a paper passport for domestic travel within the United States. The digital ID can be stored on the iPhone or Apple Watch and used at select Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, and is compatible with the Real ID standard. This ID doesn't replace a paper passport for international travel, but it does facilitate expedited passage through domestic airports and supports age and identity verification in apps, stores, and websites. Support is currently available in states such as Arizona, California, and others. The Wallet app also includes improvements to boarding passes, such as live flight details, links to airport maps, and baggage tracking, with support from airlines like Delta and United.

◉ Google is testing a new version of Chrome that will require iOS 17 to function, meaning it will no longer support devices like the iPhone X and iPhone 8, as well as some older iPads like the iPad 5, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (first generation). The new update includes performance improvements, support for tab groups on iPad, and password manager syncing. It is still in beta testing via TestFlight, with no specific release date.

Sources:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10| 11| 12| 13| 14| 15 | 16