A new ad showcases the cooling technology in the iPhone 17 Pro, Samsung integrates Perplexity into Bixby on the S26 phones, Google launches the Nano Banana Pro model, Jony Ive and Sam Altman unveil a new AI device, Anthropic launches Cloud Opus 4.5 with more advanced software capabilities, the Mate 80 phones boast a brightness of up to 8000 nits, the iPhone 17 returns Apple to the top of the phone market after 14 years, and other exciting news on the sidelines…
Apple's founding documents are back in auction with a potential value of up to $4 million.
Christie's auction house is preparing to offer for sale the original contract that established Apple in 1976, a three-page document signed by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ron Wayne. Jobs and Wozniak each received 45% of the shares, while Wayne received only 10%. The package also includes Wayne's withdrawal papers from the partnership after just 12 days, for $800, followed by an additional $1500 payment. Wayne later explained that he withdrew because he anticipated the venture would be too risky. Had he retained his stake, it would be worth approximately $409 billion today, compared to Apple's current valuation of $4 trillion. However, this is a theoretical estimate that doesn't reflect reality due to fluctuations in share value over the decades. The auction, scheduled for January 2026, will offer the original contract and Wayne's withdrawal papers as a single lot. These documents have been sold at auctions before, most recently in 2011 for approximately $1.6 million.
The voice feature in ChatGPT now works within the conversation itself.
OpenAI has updated its ChatGPT app to allow voice conversations to take place directly within the current chat, eliminating the need to open a separate window as before. This change makes replies appear in real time alongside text and graphics such as images and maps, facilitating seamless transitions between voice and text while preserving the conversation's context and history. Users who prefer the old mode can easily revert to it in the settings, where the "separate mode" option is available on both the web and mobile apps. This update is part of a suite of new improvements that includes group chats, the release of the GPT-5.1 model, and a gift search feature for the holiday season.
The iPhone 17 returns Apple to the top of the phone market after 14 years.
Data from Counterpoint Research indicates that the success of the iPhone 17 series helped Apple reclaim its title as the world's largest smartphone manufacturer for the first time since 2011, surpassing Samsung. iPhone shipments are projected to grow by 10% in 2025, compared to just 4.6% for Samsung, giving Apple a global market share of 19.4%. The new series achieved strong sales growth in the US and China, outselling the iPhone 16 series by 14% in its first few days. Apple also recorded a record month in China, with sales increasing by 37% compared to the previous year. The company also benefited from improved trade relations between the US and China and a weaker dollar, which boosted sales in emerging markets. Experts predict that Apple will continue its progress with the launch of its first foldable iPhone in 2026, along with a more affordable version called the iPhone 17e, followed by a major redesign of the phone in 2027 to mark its 20th anniversary.
An iPad Mini with an OLED screen may arrive in the third quarter of 2026.
Leaks suggest that Apple will release the eighth-generation iPad Mini with an OLED display as early as the third quarter of 2026, making it the second iPad in the series to adopt this technology after the iPad Pro. An OLED display offers more accurate colors, deeper blacks, faster response times, and wider viewing angles. The new device is expected to be powered by the A19 Pro processor used in the iPhone Air, with improvements in performance and power efficiency, as well as a more water-resistant design thanks to a vibration-based speaker system instead of traditional perforations. The price may increase by about $100 compared to the current starting price of $499, while the iPad Air is expected to receive an OLED display in 2027.
Apple is nearing the launch of “Apple Intelligence” in China.
Apple recently launched a feedback form on its website for its Apple Intelligence feature. The form required a phone number starting with +86, suggesting it was aimed at users in China. It allowed users to submit feedback on writing tools, image cleaning, notification summaries, Minimize Interruption mode, priority messages, smart replies in Mail and Messages, and summaries in various apps. These features are not yet available in China, as Apple needs to partner with a local company to offer them, and has chosen Alibaba as its partner. The launch was delayed due to trade tensions between the US and China, which have recently eased following a truce agreement, potentially paving the way for Apple to overcome regulatory hurdles. Support for these features is likely to appear in the iOS 26.2 update before the end of the year if Apple receives approval, but there are no clear indications yet, and the company has since removed the form from its website.
Singapore requires Apple to modify its Messages app to combat fraud.
Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs has mandated that Apple make changes to its iMessage service by December to prevent messages impersonating government entities. The directive, issued under the Cyber Crimes Act, also applies to Google Messages, and both companies must comply by November 30. The problem is that iMessage does not use Singapore's official sender verification system, allowing scammers to impersonate the "gov.sg" identifier used in government SMS messages. Police have recorded more than 120 reports of similar impersonation. The new directive requires Apple to hide or minimize the visibility of unknown sender names and to block or filter any messages or groups attempting to mimic government identities. These changes will be an exception to iMessage's usual operation and mark one of the first instances where Apple has been forced to implement mandatory name filtering within its system. Authorities have confirmed that Apple and Google will comply or face penalties.
Huawei unveils Mate 80 phones with a brightness of up to 8000 nits
Huawei has announced its new Mate 80 smartphones, which have generated considerable interest in China thanks to their OLED displays. The company claims these displays can reach a brightness of 8000 nits, an unprecedented figure if confirmed in real-world tests. This theoretically puts them ahead of Apple's iPhone 17 series, which reaches 3000 nits outdoors and 1600 in HDR mode. However, a direct comparison is difficult because these figures depend on varying measurement conditions and often reflect brief periods of performance.
The series includes four models: the Mate 80, Mate 80 Pro, Mate 80 Pro Max, and Mate 80 RS, featuring advanced cameras with multiple lenses and a variable aperture, up to 20GB of RAM, and large batteries up to 6000mAh with fast wired and wireless charging. Prices start at around $1127 for the Pro Max model and go up to $1683 for the RS version, placing them in the flagship phone category.
Anthropic launches Claude Opus 4.5 with more advanced software capabilities
Anthropic has announced the release of its new Cloud Opus 4.5 model, which it describes as the world's most powerful programming, agent building, and computing tool. The model offers significant improvements in reasoning, insight, and mathematics compared to previous versions, and is capable of handling ambiguity and making smarter decisions. The update also includes the development of the company's applications, developer platform, and Cloud Code tool, with support for using the model in Excel, Chrome, and on desktop. A key feature is the ability to automatically summarize previous contexts to continue the conversation uninterrupted. Cloud Code can also generate detailed, editable plans before execution. The release is now available through Anthropic's applications and API, with increased usage limits for premium subscribers.
Jony Ive and Sam Altman unveil a new AI device with a simple and playful spirit.
Renowned designer Jony Ive has teamed up with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to develop a new AI device they describe as a reimagining of how we use computers. In a recent interview, they explained that the device aims to break free from the limitations of traditional computing, becoming an active and intelligent partner that assists the user without being intrusive, with complete contextual awareness of their life. The concept is inspired by the tranquil atmosphere of sitting in a cabin by a lake, away from the noise of current devices. Ive emphasized that the design is so simple and beautiful that it evokes a desire to touch it or even "take a bite," while Altman affirmed that the goal is to bring joy and fun to the user experience. Prototypes have been described as exciting and impressive, and rumors suggest it may be a small, screenless device, about the size of an iPod Shuffle, that can be slipped into a pocket or worn around the neck, relying on microphones and cameras to understand context. The product is expected to hit the market in less than two years.
A foldable iPhone with no screen creases is coming in 2026.
Apple is developing its foldable iPhone, expected to launch in September 2026, and it has already entered the engineering validation phase in preparation for mass production. According to supply chain reports, Apple has solved the "crease" problem that typically appears on foldable phone screens, making the iPhone Fold the first phone on the market with a completely seamless display. The device will use an internal screen designed by Samsung, but Apple has developed the panel structure, lamination method, and materials itself. It has also collaborated with suppliers to create a hinge based on Liquid Metal, combining durability with thinness. Despite rumors of a possible launch delay, the project reaching this stage makes the 2026 release date very realistic.
Google launches Nano Banana Pro model for creating high-resolution text images
Google has announced the launch of Nano Banana Pro, an enhanced version of its previous image creation model, powered by Gemini 3 Pro. The new model boasts superior capabilities for producing images with clear, legible text in various languages, making it ideal for posters, infographics, and educational graphics. It supports powerful editing tools, up to 4K resolution, and AI-powered watermark recognition for generated images. Nano Banana Pro is available through the Gemini app and various Google services for users, businesses, and developers.
Miscellaneous news
Polish authorities are investigating whether Apple's anti-tracking feature in iOS 14.5 gives the company an unfair advantage in the iPhone and iPad advertising market. This feature requires apps to request user permission before tracking them, but regulators suspect it may limit other companies' ability to collect data, while Apple benefits from this for its own advertising services. If found guilty, Apple could face a hefty fine, especially as other European countries have launched similar investigations, and the company has already been penalized in France for the way the feature was implemented.
OpenAI has launched a new feature within ChatGPT to help users choose the right products, whether for household needs or gifts. The feature gathers information from trusted sources, asks insightful clarifying questions, and then provides a personalized buying guide that includes comparisons and the most suitable options based on your needs. This feature is available to ChatGPT users on all plans and features an easy-to-use interactive interface. Purchases are currently made through store websites, with plans to support direct purchases in the future.
Samsung is integrating Perplexity technology into its Bixby assistant in the Galaxy S26 series. Bixby will handle simpler tasks on the device, while Perplexity models will process questions requiring deeper thought and analysis. This approach mirrors Apple's strategy with the iPhone, where it integrates native AI models with external systems like ChatGPT or Gemini to perform advanced tasks. Both Samsung and Apple aim to make their smart assistants more capable of understanding complex questions and executing multiple steps within apps without requiring a separate chat application.
Apple has released a new ad showcasing the advanced cooling technology in the iPhone 17 Pro. This technology utilizes a vapor chamber that draws heat from the A19 Pro processor and distributes it throughout the device's casing, potentially improving performance by up to 40%. The ad illustrates this concept with a fantastical image of a man gaining superhuman strength thanks to the cooling system, suggesting the phone's ability to handle demanding tasks with ease. While the iPhone 17 Pro is the most expensive model in the series, it offers significantly more powerful specifications compared to the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 models.
Recent reports indicate that iOS 27 will primarily focus on improving system quality and speed rather than adding a host of new features, similar to what Apple did previously with Snow Leopard on Macs. However, a range of artificial intelligence features are expected to be integrated into various Apple apps, along with Apple Health+, which will offer personalized health recommendations to users. Sources suggest that the first beta versions of iOS 27 and macOS 27 will be released after the WWDC developers conference in June.
The Financial Times suggested Tim Cook might step down as Apple CEO next year, but a Bloomberg report indicates this scenario is currently unlikely. Mark Gurman says there are no signs within the company that Cook is preparing to leave soon, describing talk of his departure as exaggerated and inaccurate. While John Ternos is considered the leading candidate to succeed him, Cook, 65, appears poised to continue leading Apple since taking the helm in 2011.
OpenAI has announced the global rollout of its group chat feature to all users, enabling multiple people to collaborate within a single conversation using ChatGPT. This feature allows users to create a shared space for chatting with friends or colleagues without sharing any personal information from the group's creator. It can be used for trip planning, project organization, and idea sharing, with the ability to invite up to 20 people via a link. ChatGPT intelligently interacts with the group, intervening only when necessary.
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