A magical iPhone color inspired by liquid glass, a new iPad Pro with an M5 processor and dual front cameras, the launch of six new iPhone models in 2027, a sleep assessment feature in the Apple Watch, leaked screen sizes of the foldable iPhone, and other exciting news on the sidelines…
New "liquid glass" color expected for the iPhone 17 Pro
A leak from China via the Weibo account "Instant Digital" revealed that Apple is planning to launch a distinctive color for the iPhone 17 Pro that reflects the "liquid glass" design of iOS 26. The leak indicates that this color, described as white, changes appearance depending on the lighting, giving it a dynamic effect that matches the system's transparent and glossy interface. The account has previously leaked accurate information about Apple products, such as the yellow color for the iPhone 14. Other reports point to additional possible colors for the iPhone 17 Pro, such as copper, black, space gray, and dark blue, with a new body design combining glass and aluminum. The iPhone 17 series is expected to launch in September 2025.
Google adds new smart video features to Photos and YouTube Shorts.
Google announced the launch of new AI-powered video editing tools in Google Photos and YouTube Shorts. In Google Photos, users can transform photos into short videos by adding subtle movements and facial expressions by selecting a photo and using options like "Slimming" or "I'm lucky." This feature is now available on Google Photos for iOS and Android.
In the coming weeks, a "Remix" feature will be added to transform photos into animated cartoons, such as anime or comics. As for YouTube Shorts, users can turn photos into short videos, add animation to still images, and use new effects to transform drawings or selfies into unique videos. These features are free and available in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with other countries following suit.
New case adds a USB-C port to older iPhones with Lightning ports.
Swiss engineer Ken Pilonel has announced a new phone case that adds a USB-C port to an older iPhone with a Lightning port, without modifying the phone itself. The case, sold under the name Obsoless, consists of two parts that connect to the phone via a built-in connector and offers 9V fast charging, data transfer, and Apple CarPlay support. The case features an innovative locking mechanism inspired by fountain pens and waist belts, making it easy to use without tools. The case supports 20 iPhone models and is MagSafe compatible. Additional colors will be available in September, and users can sign up for updates on the Obsoless website.
Foldable iPhone screen sizes leaked
Taiwanese research firm TrendForce has revealed that Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch external display. These same dimensions were previously mentioned by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, further strengthening the information. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has an 8-inch internal display and a 6.5-inch external display. Apple is expected to launch this phone in the second half of 2026, possibly in September. Kuo noted that the internal display will be "wrinkle-free" thanks to laser-perforated metal panel technology. The phone will feature two rear cameras, a front-facing camera, and a power button with a fingerprint sensor instead of Face ID.
Apple is working on a sleep assessment feature for the Apple Watch.
An iOS 26 analysis by Steve Moser has revealed that Apple may be developing a sleep scoring feature for the Apple Watch. A hidden image in the Health app shows an Apple Watch with an "84" label surrounded by three colored bars representing sleep stages: orange for time awake, light blue for REM or light sleep, and dark blue for deep or baseline sleep. The image also contains sleep-related icons such as the moon, stars, and a bed. The internal title of the image, "Watch Focus Score," suggests it's a sleep scoring feature that could predict your daily activity level based on your sleep. The Apple Watch currently tracks sleep and separates sleep stages, but it doesn't yet offer a comprehensive score. This feature could include data like temperature, similar to the Vitals option in watchOS 11. The feature could appear in the watchOS 26 update, but no further details have been released yet.
Apple's recent App Store changes satisfy the EU and prevent fines.
Reuters reported that the European Union will approve Apple's June changes to the App Store to comply with the Digital Markets Act, meaning Apple will not face daily fines. Apple removed its rules prohibiting developers from directing customers to external payment options and allowed the use of third-party payment systems within apps. Apple also divided its App Store services into two tiers: the first, which costs 5% of an app's revenue, excluding features such as ratings and marketing, and the second, which costs 13% (10% for smaller developers) and includes all features. Apple added a 2% fee for initial acquisition and a 5% basic technology fee. By January 2026, Apple will unify its fee model with a maximum of 20% and 12% for limited features. This protects Apple from fines of up to €50 million per day. The EU is expected to approve these changes soon, but Apple is appealing a previous €500 million fine and the new rules.
Apple may launch six new iPhone models in 2027.
A leak from a reliable source on Weibo has revealed that Apple may introduce six new iPhone models in 2027. According to the leak from Instant Digital, the lineup will include models such as the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone. Apple will begin launching the Pro models and the foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026, while the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will follow in the first half of 2027. Apple will also continue to sell older models such as the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air, making the 2027 lineup the most diverse in the company's history, with options to suit a variety of budgets and needs.
iOS 26 fixes an annoying issue in the Messages app
In iOS 26, Apple added new features to the Messages app, including one that makes dealing with messages easier and less intrusive. Now, when you long-press on a message bubble, a new option called "Select" appears next to the copy and interaction options. This option allows you to select a specific portion of text within a message instead of copying the entire message. You can long-press, choose "Select," and then drag the sliders to select the desired text. This feature is useful, for example, for copying just an address from a long message containing multiple pieces of information, such as a phone number or restaurant recommendation, for use in the Maps app. This is a significant improvement over the previous method, which copied the entire message.
A new iPad Pro is expected this year with an M5 processor and two front cameras.
Mark Gurman revealed that the next generation iPad Pro will feature two front-facing cameras, one for landscape and one for portrait mode, making it easier to take photos and make video calls regardless of the device's orientation. The new iPad Pro will feature the M5 processor, a slight improvement over the current model, which features the M4 processor and an OLED display. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, mass production will begin in the second half of 2025, with a launch expected in September or October, as Apple typically follows an 18-month update cycle for the iPad Pro.
Apple sues Jon Prosser over iOS 26 leaks
Apple has filed a lawsuit against YouTubers Jon Prosser and Michael Ramaciotti, accusing them of stealing trade secrets related to iOS 26. Prosser had posted videos showing redesigned designs for apps like the Camera and Messages interface, featuring circular buttons and capsule-shaped toolbars. The leaks originated from an iPhone development phone owned by former Apple employee Ethan Lipnick. Ramaciotti used Lipnick's password to access the phone and demo iOS 26 via a FaceTime call to Prosser, who recorded the call. Apple is seeking a restraining order against further disclosure of trade secrets and compensatory damages. Lipnick was terminated for failing to protect development hardware and software, and Apple discovered the leak via an anonymous email. Prosser denies knowledge of the details and looks forward to discussing the matter with Apple.
Apple's new ad highlights the "Clean Up" feature in the Photos app.
Apple released a new iPhone 16 ad focusing on the "Clean Up" feature in the Photos app. In the ad, a man takes a photo of a woman with her cat and uses the Clean Up feature to remove the cat from the image. However, both the cat and the woman appear upset, so he restores the image to its original state, demonstrating that the edit can be undone. Powered by Apple's intelligent technology, the Clean Up feature allows you to remove unwanted objects from photos by swiping over them, and the app replaces them with a full background. This feature is available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, and will be available on the upcoming iPhone 17.
Miscellaneous news
◉ Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, said the game's return to the UK iPhone App Store may not happen soon due to Apple's rules. The UK Competition and Markets Authority plans to change how the App Store operates, but is focusing on Apple's rules that limit payment options and app reviews, rather than allowing other app stores. Epic Games believes this prevents fair competition that would provide users with better prices and a variety of services, and suggests that these rules could delay Fortnite's return to iPhones in the UK until 2026.
◉ T-Mobile announced the launch of “T-Satellite,” a Starlink-powered service that allows texting when cellular or Wi-Fi is down. The service is available to T-Mobile subscribers, as well as Verizon and AT&T customers, and works on more than 600 smartphones, including iPhone 14 and later running iOS 18.3 or later. The service is limited to iMessage and SMS and does not support cellular data. It is free for Beyond 5G and Go5G plan subscribers, while other T-Mobile customers can add it for $10 per month. Verizon and AT&T customers can also add it by contacting T-Mobile support. The price is tentative and will increase to $15 later. iPhone users will see a “SAT” icon on their screen when connected to the satellites.
◉ Google has updated its Chrome app for iPhone and iPad that allows users to easily switch between personal and managed work accounts. This feature keeps work data (such as tabs, browsing history, and passwords) separate from personal data, supporting the use of personal devices in work environments. The update also includes the ability to send security data to Google's management tools and enable website filtering to prevent access to unauthorized sites on iOS devices.
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