iOS 27 revolutionizes AirPods and HomePod speakers, offering the freedom to hide your location and other features. Apple is waging a fierce war on low-quality apps in its App Store. Instagram puts you in control of your profile. Anthropic launches its most powerful cloud computing solution to date, "Cloud Fable 5." Meanwhile, AI companies are racing to raise prices in what has become known as the "token crisis." Finally, leaked images of the foldable iPhone have surfaced, revealing it will come in only one color. Another leak shows the iPhone 18 Pro, and other exciting news unfolds on the sidelines…
Apple introduces a "Tap to Share" feature in iOS 27
Apple added a new feature called “Tap to Share” in iOS 27, allowing merchants to share data with customers simply by tapping their iPhones against an iPhone using NFC technology. This includes things like membership registration, sending a shipping address, or sharing a card in Apple Wallet. This feature builds upon the “Tap to Pay” service, which allows for payments without additional hardware, but expands its functionality to include information sharing alongside payment. The feature requires an iPhone 12 or later, but it is not currently available in the European Union and the European Economic Area. Apple has not disclosed the reason for the delay or a release date in those regions.
Federighi explains why Apple released a standalone Siri app
Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, revealed the reason behind the company's decision to release a standalone Siri app within iOS 27, after Apple had previously stated it had no intention of creating a separate chat application for Siri. The new app, announced at WWDC last week, provides users with a central location to access and continue their previous conversations with Siri. Federighi explained that Apple doesn't view Siri as a separate chat application, but rather as an integrated conversation tool that is central to the user experience, capable of understanding and responding to what's on the screen. He added that the app was created simply because the most convenient way to access a previous conversation on Apple's platform is with an app icon on the home screen that can be easily opened. It's worth noting that the developer preview of iOS 27 is available now, but using the new Siri feature requires signing up for a waitlist through Settings. The public beta is expected to be released in July.
Apple removes the walkie-talkie app from the Apple Watch
In the first beta of watchOS 27, the Walkie-Talkie app unexpectedly disappeared from the Apple Watch's app list and Control Center. This app, which first appeared in 2018 with watchOS 5, allowed users to send short voice messages over Wi-Fi or cellular networks using FaceTime, essentially functioning as a walkie-talkie across any distance. Despite its innovative concept, the app received no significant updates over the years and faced a security vulnerability that forced Apple to temporarily disable it early on. While the company has not yet officially confirmed its removal, indications suggest it's a permanent decision rather than a temporary glitch. The public beta of watchOS 27 is expected next month, with the official launch scheduled for this fall alongside new Apple Watch models.
iOS 27 adds new features to the HomePod speaker
Apple announced that iOS 27 and HomePod Software 27 will bring AutoMix to the HomePod smart speaker. This AI-powered feature, available in the Apple Music app, seamlessly mixes songs to match their rhythm and pitch, with improved algorithms for smoother transitions than ever before. HomePod users were previously unable to access this feature in the current software version, as they could only use it by wirelessly streaming audio from another compatible device. Interestingly, the new version also supports the first-generation HomePod, released in 2018 and discontinued by Apple in 2021, a fact confirmed by an independent tester after some questions arose. HomePod Software 27 is scheduled for release this fall, coinciding with the official launch of iOS 27.
Apple tightens App Store rules and combats low-quality apps
Apple announced a major update to its App Store policies targeting low-quality and repetitive apps. The company now has the authority to remove apps that offer no real value to users or belong to already saturated categories such as flashlight, wallpaper, timer, astrology, and dating apps, unless they offer a unique and distinctive experience. Apple explicitly stated that trivial apps, such as laughter or burp sound apps, add no value to the store, and their developers may be expelled from the developer program if they repeatedly offer them. Similarly, Apple emphasized that developers of user-generated content apps—such as social media platforms—are responsible for removing any content that violates policies, such as pornography, or risk having their apps removed from the store. Finally, Apple prohibited the use of the "Live Activities" feature to send spam or fraudulent messages to users.
Anthropic releases its AI model “Claude Fable 5” to the general public
Anthropic has announced the launch of its new artificial intelligence model, Cloud Fable 5, its most powerful yet and now available for public use. It boasts exceptional performance in programming, scientific research, and complex data processing, with the ability to operate autonomously for longer periods than any previous model. To ensure safety, the company has implemented stringent safeguards to prevent misuse in sensitive fields such as cybersecurity, chemistry, and biology, automatically redirecting questions related to these areas to a more secure model.
In addition, Anthropic is launching a more advanced version called Cloud Mythos 5 for a limited group of cybersecurity and infrastructure protection professionals, with Apple reportedly among the partners included in this program. As for pricing, Cloud Mythos 5 will be available free of charge with existing subscription plans until June 22nd, after which it will require additional paid credit.
Apple reveals iOS 26 adoption figures
Apple has revealed its latest statistics regarding the spread of iOS 26, ahead of the WWDC 2026 developers conference and the release of the iOS 27 beta. The figures show that 79% of all iPhones were running iOS 26, and this percentage rises to 86% if we limit ourselves to iPhones released during the last four years.
As for iPads, iPadOS 26 has reached approximately 68% of all devices and 79% of those released in the last four years. These figures are slightly lower than those recorded by the previous iOS 18 system during the same period last year. It's worth noting that these figures are based on data from devices that made purchases through the App Store on June 7th, and they represent the latest statistics released by Apple regarding this system, following the official launch of the iOS 27 beta test.
European Union: The decision to block Siri in Europe is solely Apple's decision.
The European Commission responded to Apple's announcement that it would not release its Siri smart assistant in EU countries, asserting that the decision rested entirely with Apple itself and not with regulatory constraints, as the company had suggested. A Commission spokesperson explained that Apple had not sought to find technical solutions that met the EU's privacy and security requirements, but had simply requested an exemption from its legal obligations, a request the Commission categorically rejected. Apple, for its part, had stated that it was "let down" by regulators who, it claimed, rejected all of its proposals, including a system that would allow third-party voice assistants secure access to the same device capabilities used by Siri. Regardless of these conflicting narratives, the practical result is that EU users will not be able to benefit from Siri's new smart features when iOS 27 is released later this year, with no clear timeline for future availability.
iOS 27 introduces a completely redesigned settings menu for AirPods.
iOS 27 includes a major update to the AirPods settings menu on iPhones. The new menu is much more organized and easier to navigate than the previous version, which required long scrolling to access any option. The redesigned menu features a volume slider and groups previously scattered options into clear, organized sections under distinct icons, including Accessibility, Sound & Orientation, Hearing Health, and Controls & Gestures. New sections for Battery, Privacy, and Find My are also included. This redesigned AirPods settings were also implemented in macOS 27 (Golden Gate).
iOS 27 allows you to temporarily hide your location from others in the “Find My” app
Apple added a practical new feature to the Find My app in the first beta version of iOS 27. This feature allows users to temporarily hide their location from specific people for 12 hours by tapping the "Hide Location" option in the People section of the app. After this period, the setting automatically reverts to its previous state. Notably, activating this feature does not send any notification to the other person; their device simply displays "No Location Found" without further explanation. The public beta of iOS 27 is expected to be released next month, with the final official release anticipated in September.
Apple's Photos app finally gets a slideshow maker
Apple announced that the Photos app will soon allow users to play any collection of photos and videos as a slideshow, with options to choose the slide duration, transition style, and add music. The slideshow can also be saved directly as a video to the Photos library for easy viewing later. Other additions include: saving a specific frame from a video as a photo, more flexible album organization tools, emoji reactions in shared albums, a display of recent activity, and access to photos and videos in full resolution. Apple also added new categories such as "Shot by Me" and "ID Documents," along with improved search results for people and pets.
Leak: The design of the foldable iPhone... and it may only be available in white.
Renowned leaker Sonny Dickson has revealed detailed images of a prototype foldable iPhone that appear to reflect the device's final design, suggesting it will likely be released exclusively in white. The device adopts a passport-like shape, wider than it is tall, setting it apart from other foldable phones on the market. It features a 5.5-inch external display and a 7.8-inch internal OLED screen, making it nearly the size of an iPad Mini when unfolded. Leaks also mention an ultra-thin 4.5mm titanium frame, a fingerprint sensor instead of facial recognition, and a horizontal dual-camera array on the back. Among the most notable new details is that the external display will extend edge-to-edge with a slight curve at the corners, and the internal selfie camera will be located in the upper left corner. The device is expected to be announced in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, with a price tag exceeding $2,000, according to reports.
Leaks reveal iPhone 18 Pro colors... but an important warning.
Images of parts of the iPhone 18 Pro's chassis have recently surfaced online, revealing three anticipated colors: a deep red resembling cherry red, a light blue, and a dark gray, as well as a fourth silver color not shown in the images. The deep red color was expected to be the signature color for this generation, similar to Apple's Cosmic Orange color for the iPhone 17 Pro.
However, a subsequent investigation proved that these images were manipulated using artificial intelligence and were not actual photos of the device's components, meaning they should be treated with extreme caution. Nevertheless, other reliable leaks indicate that these four colors remain among the options Apple is actually testing. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to be officially unveiled in September 2026.
Miscellaneous news
Meta announced that WhatsApp will stop working on some older iPhones if they are not updated by the end of November 2026. Starting November 30, the app will require iOS 15.5 or later instead of iOS 15.1. Affected devices include the iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, SE (1st generation), iPhone 7, and 7 Plus, which can install the latest version, iOS 15.8.8. This means users simply need to go to Settings and update their system to ensure WhatsApp continues to function. Unlike last year when support was completely discontinued for the iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus, this time no device is being entirely excluded; instead, the minimum compatibility threshold has been raised to protect users and provide better security updates.
Recent reports indicate that Apple has quietly begun discontinuing sales of the Vision Pro travel case—which was priced at $199—in many countries, including the UK, Japan, Germany, France, and Hong Kong. It remains available for purchase in the US, Canada, and the UAE. This comes amidst a general decline in the future of the Vision Pro. The updated version, released in October 2025, failed to achieve the expected demand despite maintaining its price at $3,499. Total sales barely exceeded 600 units, with a high return rate compared to other Apple products. Furthermore, the development team was reassigned to other projects, and plans for a cheaper, lighter version known as the "Vision Air" were canceled. Reports suggest that Apple is now focusing on developing smart glasses to compete with the Meta brand, with no new product in this area expected before 2028 or 2029 at the earliest.
Apple has announced that macOS 27 Golden Gate will be the last version to support Intel applications via Rosetta 2, the technology that, since 2020, has allowed Intel-based software to run on Macs with Apple Silicon chips. Starting with macOS 28, these applications will no longer work, meaning users and developers will need to update their software or find alternatives compatible with Apple's new processors. The new system also automatically removes Rosetta if it was installed in the previous version, but it can be reinstalled if needed. Most popular applications are already compatible with Apple Silicon, but those relying on older software will have to stay on macOS 27 or switch to other solutions before September 2026, the official release date.
The messaging app Telegram has launched an official version for Apple Watch, allowing users to read and reply to messages directly, with support for features such as stickers, voice messages, and location sharing. Although Telegram offered a similar app in 2015 before discontinuing it, this return provides users with a better official experience than the third-party apps that appeared in recent years.
Apple has introduced a familiar feature to iPhone and iPad users in macOS 27 Golden Gate: “Swipe to Refresh.” This allows users to swipe down from the top of the screen within apps to get the latest content, instead of relying on keyboard shortcuts or menus. This feature will be available at launch in apps like Safari, Mail, News, Podcasts, and Calendar. The arrival of this gesture on Macs reflects Apple’s ongoing efforts to unify interaction methods across its various operating systems.
Instagram has launched a long-awaited feature that allows users to rearrange their posts in their profile grid in any order they choose, instead of the fixed reverse chronological order that has been in place since the app's inception. This feature is available on both iPhones and Android devices. To activate it, simply long-press on any post in the grid, then select "reorder grid" from the pop-up menu. Drag the content to the desired position, and the changes are saved instantly and visible to all page visitors. It's worth noting that pinned posts always remain at the top of the page, regardless of any rearrangement. Instagram initially announced this feature in January 2025, partly as an apology to users whose feeds were disrupted by the app's shift from square to taller vertical images. The feature is now available to all users approximately a year and a half after its initial announcement.
Microsoft has significantly increased the price of its GitHub Copilot programming tool, sparking a broader debate about the future of AI pricing, which has been subsidized by investors for years. With companies like Anthropic nearing their IPOs and needing to prove their profitability, it seems users will soon bear the true cost of these services, potentially fundamentally changing how individuals and businesses interact with them.
WhatsApp announced it has halted a new spying campaign linked to the NSO Group, in violation of a court order prohibiting the company from targeting users of the app. The attacks relied on malicious links and test accounts within WhatsApp, similar to previous campaigns that used the Pegasus spyware. WhatsApp has filed a contempt of court lawsuit against NSO, while the US government continues to impose sanctions and keep the company on its blacklist, despite attempts by new investors to improve its reputation and encourage it to enter the US market.
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