For the first time, an iOS game controlled via AirPods, advanced software capabilities with the new Claude Sonnet 4.5, iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch 3 are outdated devices, the iPhone Air's true charging speed via USB-C is revealed, the new Sora app for creating realistic videos with artificial intelligence, Google unveils a new HomePod, the AirPods Pro 3 are irreparable, and other exciting news on the sidelines...
New update for the Phonegram app
New leaks reveal upcoming Apple products
Last Monday, a number of anticipated Apple products were leaked via YouTube videos and official documents from the US Federal Communications Commission. The leaks included an iPad Pro equipped with the M5 chip, as well as updated MacBook Pro models and the Vision Pro glasses. Although the changes appear minor and primarily focus on performance improvements, this information confirms that the devices are on track for release, possibly in October.
According to the clips, the new iPad Pro will feature faster processor and graphics performance, with up to 12GB of RAM, without major changes to the exterior. The MacBook Pro is expected to feature the new M5 chip, while retaining support for Wi-Fi 6E only. The most notable update for the Vision Pro headphones will be the move from the M2 chip to the M5, with minor improvements such as a more comfortable headband and possibly a new color. While these updates don't represent an entirely new generation, they reflect Apple's continued steady development of its devices.
AirPods Pro 3 receive a zero repairability rating.
An iFixit teardown of the AirPods Pro 3 revealed that the new design includes microfoam-embedded tips visible only under a microscope, a small 0.221 watt-hour battery inside each earbud, and a single 1.334 watt-hour battery in the case instead of the two in the previous generation. This explains the drop in battery life from 30 hours in the AirPods Pro 2 to just 24 hours. Apple also repositioned the magnets within the case to ensure continued charging support via MagSafe and Qi 2.
However, the teardown revealed that the earbuds and case are virtually irreparable. The batteries are held in place with glue and cannot be replaced without damaging the plastic or internal cables, requiring special equipment and heat to melt the adhesive. Because of this difficulty, iFixit gave the earbuds a repairability rating of 0 out of 10, stating that most repair shops won't even attempt to replace the batteries.
Google unveils new $100 home speaker
Google announced a new HomePod mini speaker with a design similar to Apple's HomePod Mini. The $100 speaker features a circular shape covered in 3D mesh and a colorful light ring at the bottom. The device offers 360-degree surround sound, the ability to connect multiple speakers together, and comes in several colors, including Jade, Berry, Porcelain, and Hazel. The most notable feature is its integration with Gemini for Home and the AI-powered Google Home Premium service, enabling natural conversations with the Assistant and using it for various tasks such as cooking, planning, managing schedules, learning languages, and playing music. Google also added a physical button to mute the microphone to activate Privacy Mode.
Google Home Premium replaces Nest Aware and integrates with cameras, displays, and smart home devices to provide smart alerts such as package detection, open doors, and smoke alarms. The service is available in two plans: Standard ($10 per month or $100 per year), and Advanced ($20 per month or $200 per year) with additional features such as daily summaries and video history search. The speaker is slated for release in spring 2026. Google also unveiled new Nest cameras with 2K HDR resolution, improved low-light performance, and full integration with Google Home Premium.
The British government requests access to iCloud data.
Press reports indicated that the British Home Office has asked Apple to provide authorities with access to encrypted iCloud backups of British users to support investigations into terrorism and child exploitation. This request follows previous disputes between London and Washington, when the British government earlier this year demanded access to all users' data worldwide, which sparked objections from the US administration at the time. Apple had previously suspended its "Advanced Data Protection" feature in the UK and filed legal complaints against these demands, asserting that opening a "backdoor" to data could threaten the privacy and security of users globally.
Epic: Apple's changes reveal 'scare screens' hindered users
Epic Games said that Apple's changes to the installation process for third-party app stores in the EU proved the company was intentionally stifling competition through what it called a "deceptive design." After Apple reduced the installation steps in iOS 18.6 from 15 to just six and removed warnings that discouraged users from installing apps outside its store, user drop-off rates for Epic Games dropped from 65% to 25%. Despite this improvement, Epic asserts that Apple's policies remain uncompetitive due to additional fees and restrictions on developers. It also criticized the lengthy installation process on Android, which prevents users from completing the installation more than half the time.
Apple requests dismissal of xAI lawsuit against it over ChatGPT deal
Apple has filed a motion in a Texas court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk through his company, xAI, which accuses Apple of conspiring with OpenAI to limit competition in the artificial intelligence market. Apple's lawyers asserted that the integration of ChatGPT into iOS is legally compliant, noting that the company plans to collaborate with other chatbots like Gemini in the future. Apple added that the lawsuit effectively requires it to partner with all AI providers regardless of quality, safety, or technical readiness, which is not required by antitrust laws. xAI and "X" (formerly Twitter) filed the lawsuit in August, seeking billions of dollars in damages, claiming that Apple's partnership with OpenAI has limited innovation and narrowed user options. The case is still pending.
The new Sora app creates realistic videos with artificial intelligence.
OpenAI has announced the launch of a new app called Sora, an invite-only social network and video app. This means it's not open to everyone to sign up directly like Facebook, Instagram, or others. Instead, you'll need to be invited by someone else to create an account and log in.
The app allows users to create realistic videos of themselves and their friends using the Sora 2 model, which has a greater ability to simulate complex movements and adhere to the laws of physics, while supporting various styles such as cinematic and anime. It can also add natural sounds, sound effects, and realistic backgrounds, making the clips more convincing.
The app allows users to insert themselves into short clips known as "Cameos" and share them with others within the network, with the ability to control who can use their image or voice. The app is designed for use among friends only, so it requires an invitation to join. It is currently available on iOS devices in the United States and Canada and is free in its basic version, while ChatGPT Pro subscribers get an enhanced version of the model via the website. Sora.com.
Tests reveal iPhone Air's charging speed via USB-C
Tests conducted by ChargerLAB showed that the iPhone Air charges via USB-C at a maximum speed of 18 to 19 watts, slower than the iPhone 17, which reaches approximately 28 watts, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which reaches approximately 36 watts. Although the device can charge the battery to 50% in 30 minutes using a 20W or higher charger, it is still slower than the iPhone 17 series, which achieves the same rate in just 20 minutes. However, this relatively slower charging speed reduces the heat generated during charging, helping to preserve battery life over the long term.
Apple adds iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 3 to its legacy device list
Apple has announced that the iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 3 are now classified as "vintage" devices, more than five years after they were officially discontinued. This means they can only be serviced if parts are available. However, the iPhone 11 Pro Max remains compatible with iOS 26, while the Apple Watch Series 3 has enjoyed a long lifespan from its launch in 2017 to 2022. It even continued to be sold while watchOS 9 was being tested, making it one of the longest-lasting watches before finally being classified as a vintage device.
8GB iPad prototype reveals Apple's plan for a lower-cost device
A new video has revealed a rare 2011 iPad prototype with only 8GB of storage, intended for internal Apple testing using SwitchBoard software. The device, codenamed iPad 2,4, is currently undergoing engineering validation, suggesting the company may have already considered a lower-cost iPad 2. The device's back cover is printed with 8GB, making it more than just a test device.
Before the launch of the iPad 3, rumors circulated that Apple was planning to offer a budget version of the iPad 2 with 8GB of storage. However, the company opted instead to keep the 16GB version at $399, while launching the iPad 3 at $499. Apple apparently considered 8GB insufficient for a tablet, especially since it began phasing out this capacity on iPhones in 2012, with the minimum storage capacity now being 128GB.
Anthropic unveils Claude Sonnet 4.5 with advanced software capabilities
Anthropic has released its new model, Claude Sonnet 4.5, which it describes as its most powerful programming language, outperforming GPT-5 and Gemini 2.5 Pro, with significant improvements in inference and mathematics. The update adds a terminal interface within the Claude Code tool, allowing users to interact with the model as a live programming environment to execute commands and monitor code in real-time. The company also added Checkpoints, which act as save points, allowing users to easily roll back to a previous project state when needed. The update also supports code execution and the creation of files such as tables and presentations within conversations, along with a Chrome browser version and SDK for building intelligent agents. The model has undergone extensive safety training to reduce errors and the tendency to flatter or mislead, and is available globally starting today with a recommended upgrade.
An iOS bike racing game controlled via AirPods.
Developer Ali Tanis has launched a new game called RidePods for iOS, the world's first game controlled using earbuds. The player uses head movements to steer a bike and avoid cars using the AirPods' built-in motion sensors, such as the accelerometer and gyroscope typically used for spatial audio. The game is hands-free, similar to endless runner games, as the bike moves automatically while the player steers to achieve the highest score. Supporting various generations of AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, the game was developed by re-engineering spatial audio to make AirPods an innovative controller. It is now available on the App Store.
Miscellaneous news
◉ Adobe has launched the Premiere app for iPhone and iPad for the first time, giving users professional video editing tools and 4K HDR export for direct social sharing, in addition to integrating the Firefly AI platform for generating effects. The app replaces Premiere Rush, which will be discontinued in 2026, and allows for easy transfer of projects to the desktop version. It is available for free globally with optional paid features, while an Android version is currently under development.
Adobe Premiere: Video Editor
| Developer | |
 | |
 | |
◉ Opera has launched its new Neon browser with a monthly subscription of $19.99. It offers an AI-powered browsing experience that goes beyond traditional browsing by directly executing tasks such as opening tabs, comparing information, and completing transactions on behalf of the user. It also features Tasks, which creates separate workspaces for each project to avoid confusing contexts. Cards, which act as ready-made instructions that can be integrated to automate workflows such as creating comparison tables or summarizing meetings, are also available. Neon Do, which allows the browser to navigate between websites and fill out forms locally while maintaining privacy, is a direct competitor to browsers such as Comet and Dia, without replacing the traditional Opera browser. However, some of its features may be integrated into it in the future.
◉ WhatsApp announced support for Live Photos on iPhone, allowing users to send and receive animated photos that capture 1.5 seconds of video and audio before and after filming, with a special icon appearing within the conversation to play them. The app also added support for Motion Photos on Android, along with other updates such as using Meta AI to design custom chat themes, create unique backgrounds for video calls, add AI effects to photos and videos, and improve group search via the Chats tab.
◉ OpenAI announced the launch of a new feature called Instant Checkout, which allows ChatGPT users to purchase products directly from Etsy and Shopify stores without leaving the app or website. Available products appear with a "Buy" option, with the option to pay with a registered card or other means. The feature is powered by the Stripe Agentic Commerce protocol and is available to free and paid users in the United States. It currently supports single-item purchases, with plans to expand to multiple baskets and other regions in the future. Additionally, OpenAI has added parental control tools that allow teens to link their accounts to their parents' accounts to control settings such as usage times or disable certain features. It also introduced a new system to detect psychological risk indicators in teens and alert parents when necessary.
◉ The president of Samsung Display confirmed that the company is preparing to manufacture foldable OLED displays for a North American client, widely believed to be Apple. This announcement reinforces rumors about the first foldable iPhone, expected to launch in 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 series. It is expected to feature a wrinkle-free internal display, Touch ID instead of Face ID, an A20 processor, and dual rear cameras.
◉ Apple is developing an advanced version of Siri using an internal ChatGPT-like app to test new features such as contextual awareness, more tasks within and between apps, and deeper integration with user data. The app is intended only for the company's engineers and will not be released to the public, but it reveals Apple's plans to adopt an entirely new architecture based on advanced language models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. This will give Siri the ability to conduct continuous conversations, provide natural responses, and perform more complex tasks. The new version is expected to launch in early 2026 with the iOS 26.4 update, along with a new, more human-like visual design. Apple is also exploring collaborations with companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google to power the assistant, rather than relying solely on its internal models.
◉ Starting December 16, 2025, Meta will use your conversations with Meta AI to personalize the content and ads you see. This means that if you talk to the AI about travel or sports, you may be shown ads related to these topics. There's no option to completely opt out of this, and the only way to avoid it is to not use Meta AI. However, you can adjust the types of ads you see through your Ad Preferences settings. The company has clarified that sensitive topics such as health or politics will not be used for targeting, and the feature will be implemented in most countries worldwide except for the European Union, the United Kingdom, and South Korea currently.
Sources:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10| 11| 12| 13| 14| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20
تعليق واحد