New AI features for voice control on iPhones, automatic video captioning, Samsung surpassing Apple in customer satisfaction, WhatsApp deleting messages after reading them, an updated media sharing interface in WhatsApp, Fortnite's return to the App Store, the development of advanced metals for iPhone casings, iOS 27's AI-powered wallpaper and shortcut creation features, new writing and spell-checking tools, suggested Genmoji updates, and finally, the automatic conversation deletion feature in the new Siri app, and other exciting news on the sidelines…
Apple celebrates 25 years since the opening of its first store
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of the first Apple retail stores on May 19, 2001. This journey began with two branches in Virginia and California, after Steve Jobs realized that the company's future depended on complete control over the customer experience, rather than relying on third-party stores that didn't properly showcase Apple products. Despite the considerable skepticism the idea faced at the time, Jobs' vision succeeded in transforming these stores into essential destinations for customers, thanks to distinctive innovations like the "Genius Bar" and meticulous attention to detail in the shopping experience.
This initiative, which began under challenging circumstances, has transformed into a phenomenal success. Apple has since expanded to operate over 500 stores in 27 countries worldwide. These stores are no longer just places to buy goods; they have become a symbol of the company's brand identity, achieving record-breaking sales and visitor numbers. With the first two stores still operating today, their opening dates remain a landmark in the history of technology, demonstrating that Apple's focus on the in-store user experience was the true key to its growth and evolution into one of the world's largest companies.
New AI features make controlling the iPhone easier.
Apple has unveiled a new and innovative feature in its upcoming system that relies on artificial intelligence to improve “voice control.” Users can now interact with iPhones and iPads in a natural and simple way. Instead of memorizing specific names or numbers for buttons, it is enough to simply ask your device to perform the command, such as saying “tap the purple folder.” This paves the way for a smarter and more interactive version of Siri soon, which will be able to understand what you see on the screen and help you accomplish your daily tasks more accurately and intelligently. These important updates are expected to be released later this year to enhance the ease of use of modern Apple devices.
Samsung surpasses Apple in smartphone user satisfaction.
A recent report from the 2026 US Customer Satisfaction Index shows Samsung outperforming Apple in smartphone user satisfaction, scoring 81 points compared to Apple's 80. The report indicates that users are increasingly appreciating the practical features of their phones, particularly those powered by artificial intelligence, which received high ratings, along with a noticeable improvement in battery life. In terms of categories, Samsung's Galaxy S series leads the list of flagship phones in terms of user satisfaction, followed by iPhones and then Google phones.
In the smartwatch market, Apple maintained its strong position, while Samsung's ranking slipped slightly, leaving the two companies tied for first place. The report also highlighted the foldable phone market, where Samsung continues to lead the sector by a significant margin, although users of these phones tend to complain more than users of traditional phones. The market is eagerly awaiting Apple's entry into this growing market with a foldable iPhone expected to launch later this year, which could soon shift the balance of power and competition in this sector.
WhatsApp is testing a new feature to automatically delete messages after they have been read.
WhatsApp is currently testing a new feature for its "disappearing messages" function, allowing users to set messages to automatically delete themselves based on a timer that starts as soon as the recipient opens and reads the message, rather than immediately after it is sent. This update will offer flexible options for setting the disappearance time, such as 5 minutes, an hour, or 12 hours after the message is read. This move aims to enhance user privacy and free up storage space on their phones, and the feature is expected to be available soon to all users of the app on both Android and iPhone.
WhatsApp introduces a new interface for sharing media on iPhone.
WhatsApp has begun rolling out a new and improved file-sharing interface for iPhones, designed to make sending photos and videos faster and easier without taking up the entire chat window. Instead of opening the full photo gallery, a streamlined, user-friendly menu will now appear at the bottom, displaying your most recent files in an organized grid. This allows you to browse and select what you want with a single tap. If you can't find the file you're looking for, simply swipe up to view the full gallery or long-press the plus button for quick access. This update is part of a series of improvements WhatsApp is gradually rolling out to enhance the everyday user experience.
Nintendo launches new game “Pictonico” that turns your photos into fun games
Nintendo has announced its new game, Pictonico, for iPhones, set to launch on May 28th. The game's innovative concept transforms your photos and those of your friends into fast-paced, challenging mini-games, similar to the popular WariWare series. It features 80 progressively more difficult levels, allowing you to capture new photos within the game or use existing images from your phone's gallery. To reassure users, Nintendo has confirmed that all photos remain stored on your device and are not sent to the company's servers. The game is available for pre-order now, offering a free trial of three levels, with additional game packs available for purchase starting at $5.99.
Apple Sports app adds 2026 World Cup features and expands globally
Apple has announced the expansion of its Apple Sports app to over 90 new countries, bringing the total number of supported countries worldwide to 170, including several in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Alongside this expansion, Apple has added new features specifically for following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, such as Bracket View to track teams' progress from the group stage to the final, visual displays of each team's starting lineup, and a direct link to sports news via Apple News. The app also allows users to follow live scores on their iPhone lock screen or Dynamic Island, providing a quick and easy experience for football fans to follow their favorite teams wherever they are.
Apple is restructuring its product design team in preparation for a new leadership phase.
In a move aimed at accelerating the development of future devices, Apple's head of hardware development, Joni Srouji, implemented sweeping changes to the hardware development leadership structure, bringing chip development teams closer to product design teams. Under this change, responsibility for overseeing product design shifted from Kate Bergeron to her veteran colleagues Shelley Goldberg and Dave Pakula, who will now be responsible for the design of all Apple products.
These organizational changes come shortly before John Ternos takes over as CEO of the company on September 1, reflecting Apple's readiness to enter a new phase focused on innovation and integration of work between different departments to ensure the speed and quality of device launches in the markets.
Fortnite returns to the global app store amid ongoing legal battle
The popular game Fortnite has returned to Apple's App Store in most countries worldwide, with the exception of Australia, after a long absence of several years. This move by Epic Games comes as part of an escalating strategy in its legal battle against Apple. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney described the decision as the beginning of a crucial phase aimed at ending what he calls Apple's "tax" on in-app payments. Epic's position is based on its confidence that the upcoming legal proceedings will reveal the details of the fees Apple charges, which could prompt governments around the world to intervene and stop what the company describes as "unfair fees."
In contrast, Epic Games maintains that it will continue to challenge Apple's practices, which it describes as "anti-competitive," particularly regarding the blocking of alternative app stores and restrictions on payment options. Despite the game's global return, Australia remains the most notable exception; the company refuses to reinstate the game there until Apple complies with local court rulings that deemed some of its developer terms illegal. With ongoing legal disputes in regions such as Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, the future of the relationship between the software giant and gaming companies remains highly uncertain, amidst growing global pressure to reform the rules governing digital stores.
Apple unveils new AI-powered features to support people with disabilities
Apple unveiled a suite of new features that leverage Apple Intelligence to enhance the user experience on its devices. VoiceOver can now provide more accurate descriptions of images, and Voice Control now supports natural commands, allowing users to interact with the screen using simple words instead of memorizing button names. Additionally, automatic video translation and improved capabilities for reading complex documents will be available, along with innovative technologies for Apple Vision Pro users, such as power wheelchair control and motion sickness relief, all of which enhance user independence and the overall technology experience.
Additional updates include wide-ranging improvements to support diverse user needs, such as enhanced language support for name recognition for people with hearing impairments, expanded text customization on Apple TV, support for additional game controllers, and new accessories to make holding the iPhone easier. These smart additions are expected to arrive with Apple's upcoming operating system updates (such as iOS 27) officially released later this year, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to making its technologies accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical or sensory abilities.
Apple is testing advanced metals for future iPhone casings.
Apple continues its research to develop alternative materials for the iPhone casing that balance lightweight construction with high cooling capacity. After using titanium in the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro models, and then switching to aluminum in the current iPhone 17 Pro models to improve heat dissipation efficiency, tech reports indicate that Apple still aspires to return to even more premium materials. The company is currently exploring two main options: the first is developing an "improved" version of titanium that addresses its poor thermal conductivity, and the second is "liquid metal," a unique material characterized by high strength and rigidity and exceptional lightness, which Apple has been studying for over 15 years.
Leaks suggest that Apple may begin using these advanced technologies in its upcoming foldable phones. Liquid metal is a strong candidate for the screen hinge to minimize creases and ensure high flexibility, while a stronger and lighter titanium version is being developed for the device's frame. Although reaching mass production of these materials remains a significant technical challenge, Apple aims to integrate them into its future flagship phones once manufacturing processes stabilize and costs are reduced. It's worth noting that the iPhone 18 Pro will not undergo these changes, as its production lines have already been finalized.
The foldable iPad may use the same hinge technology as the upcoming iPhone Fold.
Recent tech reports indicate that Apple is still working on a large, foldable iPad, despite the technical challenges facing the project and expectations that its launch will be delayed until 2029. This device is expected to adopt an advanced hinge design that ensures a crease-free screen, the same technology that will be used in the anticipated foldable iPhone, rumored to be called the "iPhone Ultra." The iPad is expected to come with an 18-inch OLED screen manufactured by Samsung, making it a hybrid between a tablet and a laptop, with an aluminum casing that gives it a MacBook-like appearance when closed.
Despite Apple's ambition to introduce this technology, the project still faces obstacles related to weight and cost, with estimates suggesting the device could cost up to $3,900 due to the complexity of its components. Meanwhile, the company is preparing to launch the iPhone Ultra this fall, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, marking its first ultra-thin foldable phone and paving the way for standardized design and hinges in future Apple foldable devices.
New AI features in iOS 27 for customizing wallpapers and creating shortcuts
The upcoming iOS 27 will introduce innovative smart features that allow iPhone users to create unique, custom wallpapers using the Image Playground app, which will receive an upgrade supporting the generation of more realistic images. To streamline daily tasks, the Shortcuts app will undergo a major overhaul, enabling users to create automatic shortcuts simply by describing what they want to accomplish to Siri in plain, natural language. Artificial intelligence will then design and implement the workflow instantly. These additions, which will be showcased at the developers conference on June 8, aim to make powerful system tools accessible to all users, making it easier to personalize the device and automate tasks without requiring prior technical expertise.
iOS 27 adds advanced AI tools for grammar correction while typing.
The upcoming iOS 27 is set to revolutionize the writing experience on iPhones, featuring an expanded suite of Apple Intelligence-powered writing tools. These updates will include a built-in smart grammar checker, similar to popular correction apps like Grammarly, which will display an interactive menu suggesting grammatical and spelling corrections as users type in apps like Messages and Mail. Users will be able to easily review and accept or reject these suggestions. New options such as "Help me write" and "Write with Siri" will also be introduced, making writing and editing texts a seamless and intelligent process. Full details of these features are expected to be revealed at the upcoming developer conference on June 8th.
The proposed “Genmoji” feature: AI that creates personalized emojis for you
Apple plans to enhance the Genmoji feature in iOS 27 by introducing intelligent Genmoji suggestions, which will generate personalized emojis based on your most frequently used photos and text, eliminating the need for manual design. The company has also worked to improve the technology's efficiency, addressing battery drain and overheating issues encountered in previous versions. Users will have full control over enabling or disabling the feature through the keyboard settings. These improvements are scheduled to be officially unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.
Miscellaneous news
Apple has announced a fantastic new feature for its upcoming operating systems that will allow phones and devices to automatically convert spoken words in videos into written captions. This feature will work with videos you record yourself, receive from friends, or even watch online, making content easier for everyone to follow. To ensure your privacy, the speech-to-text conversion process happens directly within your device, with various options allowing you to customize the appearance and style of the captions. This smart addition is expected to be available on iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices later this year.
Apple revealed impressive figures reflecting its commitment to making its App Store a safe place for users. In 2025, it reviewed over 9 million requests for new apps or updates, rejecting 2 million of them for violating security standards. To achieve this, the company relies on a smart combination of human review and artificial intelligence technologies to detect malicious apps or fake accounts and prevent suspicious financial transactions. It also successfully blocked nearly 195 million fake reviews and comments, underscoring its ongoing efforts to provide a reliable and high-quality experience for both users and developers.
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Music will honor Eddie Cue, Apple's senior vice president, next month with the Entertainment Personality of the Year award in recognition of his leadership in developing Apple's entertainment services. Festival organizers praised Cue's efforts in delivering high-quality content and redefining how audiences engage with culture and entertainment across Apple platforms, such as Apple TV+, which has achieved remarkable success and international awards thanks to its focus on excellence and innovation rather than simply increasing the quantity of content.
iOS 27 will introduce a dedicated and improved Siri application with a strong focus on privacy as a top priority to compete with other AI technologies. It will allow users to set a time limit for saving conversations before they are automatically deleted, with options including 30 days, a year, or permanent storage, similar to features currently available in the Messages app. The new application will also give users the freedom to choose how to view the interface, whether by opening a list of previous conversations or starting a new one directly. Although the improved Siri will be based on Google's Gemini model, Apple emphasizes the strict controls in place to ensure user data protection. It's worth noting that the application will be released in a beta phase, despite the extensive development period preceding its official release.
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