Vivo copies the “liquid glass” design, Apple doubles its bug bounty program to $2 million, the foldable iPhone may be cheaper than expected, Tim Cook receives a special gift during his visit to China, a disaster in the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold durability test, a major upgrade to the iPhone 18 Pro camera: a variable aperture, Steve Jobs on a US $1 coin in 2026, and other exciting news on the sidelines…
Vivo draws inspiration from iOS 26's "liquid glass" design
Chinese company Vivo has unveiled its new OriginOS 6 operating system update, which appears to be inspired by the Liquid Glass design introduced by Apple in iOS 26. The demo showed a very iPhone-like interface, with rounded, transparent buttons, glass-like folders and apps, transparent notifications, square-edged icons, and dynamic wallpapers that move with a 3D effect similar to Apple's Spatial Scenes feature.
Although Vivo described the design as inspired by "water," the similarity to iOS 26 is undeniable. The company sells its phones in China, India, and other markets, and recently obtained a license to launch the Vivo X300 FE in the United States, potentially opening the door to direct competition with Apple in its core market.
Apple explains how to fix iMessage not arriving in iOS 26
Apple has explained that some iOS 26 users may experience an issue activating iMessage when setting up a new iPhone, especially if the service or eSIM were not activated from the beginning. In this case, a "Not Sent" message may appear, messages may be sent as SMS/RCS in green, or they may be sent from an email address instead of a phone number. To resolve the issue, Apple recommends that after activating eSIM, you should go to Settings, select "Apps," then "Messages," and manually turn off and then back on iMessage to ensure the service is working properly.
Steve Jobs on a US $1 commemorative coin in 2026
The U.S. Mint announced that it will issue a new $1 commemorative coin in 2026 featuring Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. The coin depicts a young Jobs wearing a black shirt, jeans, and sneakers, with the inscription, "Make Something Great." The coin will be available to collectors online at the Mint for $13.25, or as part of a four-coin set featuring other innovators for $27.50. It can also be purchased in rolls or larger bags. This is part of a series that began in 2018 to honor American innovation, and Steve Jobs was nominated by the Governor of California in recognition of the innovative spirit he embodied.
Suppliers prepare early for iPhone 18 camera
Preparations for the iPhone 18 camera have begun early, as Samsung expands its production of image sensors, prompting its South Korean partner, Doosan Tesna, to invest more than $123 million in new testing equipment from Japanese companies. This massive investment, equivalent to more than a fifth of the company's assets, will be phased in through 2027 and is believed to be linked to a new Samsung production line in Austin, Texas, dedicated to supplying Apple with camera components. This move could change the dominance of Sony, which has been the primary supplier of iPhone camera sensors for a decade, especially after its delivery delays between 2023 and 2024.
Doosan Tesna specializes in post-manufacturing chip testing to ensure quality and relies heavily on its work with Samsung. It's also notable that it has begun moving away from Teradyne's equipment in favor of Advantest systems, typically used for high-performance chips such as AI processors and memory. This suggests that Samsung's new sensors for Apple may require more advanced testing. The Austin production line also reflects Apple's desire to reduce its reliance on Japanese suppliers and expand manufacturing within the United States, potentially making Samsung the second-largest supplier of iPhone camera sensors in the future.
Apple M2 glasses discontinued and not accepted for trade-in program
Apple has announced that the Apple Vision Pro glasses with the M2 chip, which were released in February 2024 and discontinued after the unveiling of the new version with the M5 chip, will no longer be available through the trade-in program. Unlike other Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, which can be traded in for a newer model, users of the original Vision Pro will need to sell them themselves if they want to upgrade to the new model. This unusual decision may reflect Apple's partners' reluctance to accept the device through trade-in programs at this time.
A major upgrade to the iPhone 18 Pro camera: a variable aperture lens.
Reports have revealed that Apple will equip the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models with a new rear camera with a variable aperture, replacing the main wide camera alongside an ultrawide and telephoto lens. This technology allows the camera to control the amount of light entering the sensor; for example, in dark environments, the lens opens to capture more light, while in bright lighting, it closes to avoid overly bright images. It also gives users better control over depth of field, meaning the clarity of the foreground element compared to the background.
Apple is currently working with suppliers like LG Innotech and Foxconn to manufacture this camera, while Chinese companies like Luxshare ICT and Sunny Optical will produce its own motion components. This is the first time Apple has used a variable aperture lens in an iPhone, having relied for years on a fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture in previous models. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone Air 2 and the first foldable iPhone in fall 2026, making this upgrade one of the most significant in iPhone camera history.
Durability Test Disaster: Pixel 10 Pro Fold Catches Fire
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold underwent the usual durability tests, including scratch and bend, conducted by popular YouTuber Zack Nelson (JerryRigEverything). This time, however, the phone collapsed on the first attempt, and on the second run, the battery was damaged, and thick smoke filled the studio—the first such incident in Nelson's ten years of testing. The phone ended up as a burnt-out lump, prompting him to warn against placing the device in a pocket when unfolded. He explained that all foldable Pixel phones for the past three years have suffered from a weak point in the antenna line, where the device breaks. In this case, pressure on the battery layers caused a short circuit, which led to a thermal reaction.
For its part, iFixit clarified that the fire does not necessarily indicate a defect in the phone's design, noting that the battery was not discharged before testing, and that any damage to the insulation layers could have led to similar short circuits. Google has not yet commented on the incident, but it is worth noting that the company has faced other battery-related issues this year, issuing updates for the Pixel 6a to address the risk of overheating, and for the Pixel 4a to improve battery stability.
Tim Cook receives a special gift during his visit to China
Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Shanghai to celebrate the upcoming iPhone Air launch in China, where he met with Pop Mart CEO and designer Kasing Lung, creator of the world-famous Labubu character. During the meeting, Lung demonstrated how he draws his characters using an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, and then presented Cook with a unique version of Labubu created just for him. The Labubu, dressed in white fur, glasses, black jeans, a blue shirt, and sneakers, was holding a mini iPhone 17. Cook joked that “Labubu now has a Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro,” while Lung shared a selfie with him and a drawing of the two of them together with the character.
During his trip, Cook visited the Apple Store in Pudong, met with Lilith Games, developers of AFK Journey, and attended the filming of Wang Feifei's new music video, which was shot entirely on the iPhone 17 Pro. Pre-orders for the iPhone Air are scheduled to begin in China on October 17, with the official availability on October 22. The device's launch in China has been delayed due to regulatory approvals, as it measures just 5.6mm thick, making it the first iPhone to rely solely on eSIM without a physical SIM card slot.
The foldable iPhone may be cheaper than expected.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated that the manufacturing cost of the foldable iPhone may be lower than expected, thanks to a significant drop in hinge component prices. The hinge is expected to cost between $70 and $80 when mass production begins, significantly lower than previous estimates of $100 to $120. This decrease is due to improvements in assembly design and Foxconn's influence in expanding production. Foxconn has partnered with Taiwanese company Shin Zu Shing to secure approximately 65% of the orders, while the US company Amphenol will handle the remainder.
This price drop could give Apple an opportunity to increase its profits or offer the phone at a more competitive price compared to companies like Samsung and Huawei. Luxshare-ICT is also expected to join as an additional supplier after 2027, potentially further reducing costs. The hinge is a crucial component of any foldable phone, determining the device's durability and the smoothness of its opening and closing. Apple is reportedly considering using various materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium. The company is scheduled to unveil its first foldable iPhone in fall 2026, alongside the iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Apple smart glasses may support two different modes
Reports indicate that the second generation of Apple's smart glasses with an in-lens display could operate in two different modes: running a full version of visionOS when connected to a Mac, and a simpler interface when connected to an iPhone, making them more flexible to use. These glasses are expected to compete with Meta's Ray-Ban glasses in the future. The first generation, expected to be announced in 2026 and launched in 2027, will be limited to features such as music playback via speakers, camera capture, voice control, and possibly some health features.
Apple is working on a new generation of AirPods Pro and AirPods 5 with the H3 chip.
Following the launch of the AirPods Pro 3 last month, Apple has already begun developing a new version of its Pro earphones, but it's not yet clear whether they will be called AirPods Pro 4 or simply an update to the current generation. Expectations indicate that the new earphones may receive significant hardware upgrades, such as the addition of an infrared camera to support Air Gestures and enhanced integration with Vision Pro, similar to what happened with the AirPods 4, which were released in two options: with or without noise cancellation.
Additionally, Apple is developing the new H3 wireless audio chip, which is expected to offer higher sound quality and lower latency and may be incorporated into the next-generation AirPods Pro. The company also plans to launch two different versions of the AirPods 5, focusing on future health features such as temperature measurement, while heart rate monitoring remains exclusive to the AirPods Pro 3. According to analysts, Apple is also considering adding cameras to some models, while the new AirPods Max won't enter mass production until 2027.
Apple doubles bug bounty program to $2 million
Apple announced a major update to its bug bounty program, raising the maximum reward to $2 million for complex exploits similar to advanced spyware attacks. The company also added additional rewards for discovering vulnerabilities in Lockdown Mode or in beta versions of its systems, potentially bringing the total payout to more than $5 million—which Apple described as the largest bounty program of its kind.
The new program focuses on entire exploit chains rather than individual vulnerabilities, with increased rewards for remotely initiated attacks. Apple also introduced Target Flags, inspired by the "Capture the Flag" competition, where researchers receive immediate proof of their level of penetration, expediting the disbursement of rewards without waiting for patch updates. The updated program will go live in November 2025, expanding categories to include vulnerabilities such as bypassing WebKit protection or exploiting wireless connections. Apple confirms that it has paid more than $35 million to more than 800 security researchers since 2020.
Miscellaneous news
◉ Apple has released a new public beta update for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4. This update comes alongside the iOS 26.1 beta and is expected to add support for real-time translation in new languages, including Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese (both Simplified and Traditional). With iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, users can now install beta updates directly from the AirPods settings when connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, after signing up on Apple's beta testing site.
◉ Apple has officially discontinued its maintenance programs for the first-generation AirPods Pro and the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro, which covered audio issues such as distortion or noise cancellation failure in the earbuds, as well as receiver issues in some iPhones. Coverage lasted for three years from the date of purchase, meaning most units were already out of warranty. These programs were terminated after the affected devices were replaced during the past period.
◉ OpenAI's Sora app, designed to generate AI-powered videos, has achieved over one million downloads since its launch in September, outpacing ChatGPT despite being invite-only and available in the US and Canada. The app allows users to upload short clips of themselves or their friends and use them with text commands to generate realistic, cinematic, or anime-style videos with voice support via the Sora 2 model. Despite criticism of the quality of its content, the app continues to top the list of free apps in the Apple App Store.
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