Apple launches a web version of its App Store, Nvidia becomes the first company to reach a $5 trillion market capitalization, complaints arise about the static sound in AirPods Pro 3, the new Siri will rely on Google's Gemini technology starting in 2026, WhatsApp officially arrives on the Apple Watch, Apple is testing new colors for the iPhone 18 Pro but will only release one, and other exciting news on the sidelines…
Apple is preparing to allow alternative app stores on iPhones in other regions.
Apple has announced the first beta version of iOS 26.2, which will allow iPhone users in Japan to install alternative app stores such as AltStore PAL and the Epic Games Store, starting in December 2025. This change comes in response to new laws passed by the Japanese parliament in 2024 and confirmed by the Fair Trade Commission in August 2025, which prohibit major companies like Apple and Google from monopolizing mobile operating systems and preventing competing app stores or payment systems. These laws are expected to officially take effect on December 18, 2025, coinciding with the release of the new update between December 9 and 16. Epic Games has already announced its intention to launch its popular game Fortnite and its own store on iOS devices in Japan before the end of the year.
A new control bar for customizing the clock's appearance on the lock screen in iOS 26.2
In iOS 26.2, Apple added a new feature called Liquid Glass Slider, allowing iPhone users to customize the appearance of the clock on the lock screen. Users can make the time almost completely transparent or more visible with a frosted, glass-like finish, or they can opt for a more solid design without the glass effect altogether.
Apple previously introduced a Tinted option in iOS 26.1 to make notifications and buttons more visible for users who prefer a less transparent look. While many users have requested that this feature be extended to the entire system, it remains unclear whether Apple will make the control bar available outside the lock screen.
Apple adds alarms for reminders in iOS 26.2
In iOS 26.2, Apple introduced a new feature within the Reminders app that allows users to link reminders to an alarm. When creating a reminder and setting a time, the "Urgent" option can be activated to act as an alarm at the specified time. Clock alarms can also be linked to reminders through Settings. When a reminder alarm is triggered, two options appear: Snooze or Swipe to Stop, along with a countdown timer on the lock screen that allows users to complete or reschedule the reminder. Users can adjust the settings to disable the Snooze option and replace it with a Direct Complete button. To differentiate these reminders from regular alarms, Apple displays them in a new blue color.
The real-time translation feature on AirPods arrives in the European Union with iOS 26.2
Apple has announced that iOS 26.2 will bring real-time translation via AirPods to users in the European Union, after previously being available only in the United States and a few other countries. This feature allows users to understand conversations in different languages directly through Siri in the AirPods, or to view translated text on the iPhone screen if the other party is not using AirPods. The feature works on AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 with noise cancellation, and requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later with Apple Intelligence enabled and the Translate app installed. Real-time translation currently supports 11 languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, and Italian. The update is scheduled to officially roll out to all users in December 2025.
Apple is testing new colors for the iPhone 18 Pro but will only adopt one color.
Recent leaks suggest that Apple is testing three new colors for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max: burgundy (deep red), brown, and purple. However, it plans to release only one of these colors at launch. These colors will be different from those of the previous generation (silver, cosmic orange, and dark blue). If burgundy is chosen, it will be the first time a Pro model is available in red, but it will be a deeper shade than the familiar Product Red. It's worth noting that Apple has never released an iPhone in true brown. With the devices expected to launch in September 2026, the company still has plenty of time to finalize its decision regarding the colors.
Apple plans to launch a low-cost MacBook in 2026.
Apple is developing a budget-friendly MacBook expected to launch in the first half of 2026 at a price significantly below $1000, positioning it as a direct competitor to low-cost Windows and Chromebooks. Currently, the MacBook Air is Apple's most affordable laptop, starting at $999, while the Mac Mini is the cheapest Mac at $599, though it's not a laptop. The new device will reportedly feature the A18 Pro processor found in the iPhone 16 Pro, instead of traditional Mac processors, and will have a 13-inch screen. It may also be available in vibrant colors like silver, blue, pink, and yellow, similar to the iMac lineup. This budget-friendly Mac will not replace any existing models but will be offered alongside the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models equipped with the M5 processors expected to launch in early 2026.
WhatsApp officially arrives on Apple Watch
WhatsApp is now officially available on Apple Watch after a short testing period, allowing users to access the app's features directly from their wrist without needing to take out their iPhone. Users can read messages in full, even long ones, send text replies, record voice messages, react with emojis, and see call notifications to quickly identify callers. The app also supports displaying photos and stickers more clearly and allows users to browse a larger portion of their chat history. WhatsApp is compatible with Apple Watch Series 4 and later models running watchOS 10 or later, and requires an iPhone connected to the app with the latest version of WhatsApp installed.
Apple launches a web version of the App Store
Apple has officially launched a new web-based version of its App Store, allowing users to browse and search for apps across all its devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. The new site The user-friendly interface resembles the App Store design on devices, with sections like the Today tab for recommendations, ratings, and Apple Arcade games. Users can browse app images and information tailored for web viewing, share links, or open the app directly in the App Store if it's installed. Previously, Apple only provided individual pages for each app; now there's a central location for easier app discovery.
The new Siri will rely on Google's Gemini technology starting in 2026.
Apple is preparing to launch an enhanced version of Siri in March 2026, coinciding with the release of a new smart home device with a screen, as well as updates to Apple TV and HomePod Mini to showcase the new assistant's capabilities. The upcoming version of Siri will be based on a custom Gemini AI model running on Apple's private cloud servers, giving Siri intelligent internet search capabilities and improved interaction, while maintaining Apple's familiar interface and experience. However, analysts have warned that the success of this move is not guaranteed due to Siri's past negative image. Apple will unveil iOS 27, macOS 27, and watchOS 27 at its developers conference in June, with a strong focus on Apple's AI capabilities and its broader AI strategy. In China, however, the company continues to face regulatory hurdles that are delaying the release of these features, leaving the availability date there uncertain.
Complaints of persistent noise in AirPods Pro 3 when noise cancellation is enabled
Some AirPods Pro 3 users have reported hearing a hissing or white noise sound when using Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) or Transparency mode, especially in quiet environments and when no media is playing. Some have described it as sounding like rain, ocean waves, or even a small fan running in the background. The issue doesn't affect all users, but it's sometimes more noticeable in one earbud than the other. Some customers have been able to replace their AirPods at Apple, but others have experienced the same problem even after replacement, raising questions about whether it's a hardware defect or a software bug that might be fixed in a future update. The only confirmed solution at present is to disable ANC or Transparency mode in the settings while using the AirPods.
Miscellaneous news
Apple plans to release the M5 Ultra chip in 2026, intended for Mac Studio and possibly the Mac Pro as well. This chip will follow the M5 Pro and M5 Max releases and is expected to launch in mid- to late 2026. With this release, Apple aims to improve internal performance without major design changes, potentially coinciding with the launch of new displays alongside the upcoming Macs.
Starting in January 2026, Apple users in Texas will be required to verify their age, and children will need parental consent to download apps or make in-app purchases. To implement the new law, Apple added tools for developers in iOS 26.2, such as specifying an age rating instead of an exact age, requiring parental consent when significant changes are made to the app, and allowing parents to revoke consent at any time to prevent a child from using the app.
Nvidia became the first publicly traded company in the world to reach a market capitalization of $5 trillion after its shares surged 14.5% in a single week. This surge was fueled by strong demand for its graphics processing units (GPUs) used to train artificial intelligence (AI) models, and by hopes of selling its advanced chips in China despite current restrictions. This rapid growth has propelled Nvidia past giants like Apple and Microsoft, with Apple briefly reaching a $4 trillion valuation recently. Apple continues to build its own AI servers for internal use, while Nvidia solidifies its position as a major global player in the AI chip market.
Sources:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10| 11| 12| 13
5 comment