Apple is working on launching a new smart device between October and early next year, releasing Geekbench 7, and lowering OLED screen prices. Meta is launching a free “Facebook Verified” badge. A lawsuit has been filed due to a vulnerability in Apple's A12 and A13 chips. A settlement has been reached in the Siri lawsuit. Apple's first water-resistant iPad is expected later this year. Apple plans to unveil its smart glasses at WWDC 2027. And other exciting news on the sidelines…
Qualcomm expects its profits to decline faster than Apple's
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon revealed that the company's revenue from Apple will decline more rapidly than anticipated due to supply chain issues. These issues will reduce Qualcomm's share of chips in the upcoming iPhone to below previous estimates of 20%, with the decline beginning in the fourth quarter of the year. In a parallel move, Qualcomm plans to raise its prices starting in September to offset increased costs across its supply chain. The company is banking on future growth in its data center and non-smartphone business to compensate for this shortfall.
This decline stems from Apple's increasing reliance on its own modem chips, already used in the iPhone 16e, iPhone 17e, and iPhone Air. Leaks suggest this reliance will expand further with the upcoming iPhone 18 series, as Apple is reportedly developing a new modem chip known as C2, which is said to be faster and more energy-efficient than Qualcomm's chips. The fate of the patent licensing agreement between the two companies, which expires in March 2027, remains uncertain.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Review
In its review of the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, the MacRumors team pointed out that this device is very close to the expected design of Apple's foldable iPhone Ultra, which is expected later this year. Its wide 4:3 aspect ratio screen measures 5.5 inches when folded and 7.6 inches when unfolded, dimensions very close to what leaks indicate regarding the iPhone Ultra, giving it a shape closer to the iPad Mini and making it ideal for multitasking and watching videos side-by-side.
Despite the advantages of this design, some apps are not yet optimized for this screen size, while Apple appears to be working on a solution with automatic app resizing. It's also worth noting that the Samsung phone only has two cameras and no telephoto lens, which is also expected in the iPhone Ultra. Additionally, it lacks Face ID, reverting to fingerprint recognition. These changes are among the most significant drawbacks of choosing this model compared to the iPhone 18 Pro. Samsung has also used a new hinge that minimizes the crease, and it will be interesting to see how Apple's design compares.
Although the expected price of the iPhone Ultra may reach $2500, which is higher than the price of the Samsung device at $1900, the writer became convinced, after actually trying the foldable phone from Samsung and showing it to others, that the iPhone Ultra will achieve great success despite its high price, especially with Apple recently launching the “Apple Upgrade” program that allows renting the phone in lower monthly installments.
New update for the Gemini app on Mac
Google has released an update for its Gemini app on Mac that enables voice chat by long-pressing the Fn key. This allows users to speak naturally to Gemini from any window on their device, with speech-to-text conversion and automatic removal of unnecessary words. The update also includes an optional feature that allows Gemini to "see" what's on the screen, helping users edit, summarize, or even create and edit images directly within their current application. This feature is currently rolling out globally in English, with plans to add other languages in the future.
Amazon applies to launch a satellite network to support the iPhone.
Amazon plans to launch a network of up to 5105 satellites in low Earth orbit, operating on frequencies from its now-acquired company, Globalstar, to provide voice, data, messaging, and emergency services to devices like the iPhone. This project is expected to enhance the existing satellite capabilities of the iPhone and Apple Watch Ultra 3, building on a previous agreement between Amazon and Apple that combined the Globalstar and Amazon Leo networks to support future services such as satellite messaging, location services, and roadside assistance. The network will consist of five orbital constellations covering densely populated and polar regions, pending regulatory approval, with satellite launches slated to begin in 2028.
Apple responds to a lawsuit regarding a fake wallet app in the App Store.
Apple is facing a new lawsuit from three customers who claim to have lost a total of $1.8 million after falling victim to a fake Bitcoin wallet app called “Sparrow Wallet” on the App Store. This app is actually only available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, not iOS. The plaintiffs accuse Apple of failing to properly review and monitor apps, despite marketing the App Store as a “safe and trusted” place. They argue that Apple did not take sufficient action even after being notified of similar fraudulent versions, a claim also confirmed by the original app developer in previous statements. In response, Apple stated that it took swift action to remove the counterfeit apps and terminate the associated developer accounts. The company emphasized that it provides tools for reporting fraud and that in 2025 alone, it suspended over 193 non-compliant developer accounts and prevented fraudulent activities worth more than $2.2 billion.
Apple plans to unveil its smart glasses at WWDC 2027
Apple plans to unveil its first smart glasses at WWDC in June 2027, with a particular focus on privacy features the company is currently developing but hasn't yet included in any of its products. Given some users' concerns about being secretly filmed by smart glasses, Apple considered a version with a camera supporting AI features but without the ability to record photos or videos. They even tested a version without a camera altogether. However, it's more likely that Apple will release glasses with a camera and the privacy features that typically distinguish Apple products from competitors like Meta Ray-Ban glasses. The glasses will also include speakers and microphones for music, calls, and Siri notifications, with availability expected to begin in late 2027.
Apple's first water-resistant iPad will be released later this year.
The upcoming iPad Mini is expected to be the first iPad with a water-resistant design, launching by October, according to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman. To achieve this, Apple has developed a new speaker system that uses vibration instead of traditional vents. The sound is emitted from the surface of the device itself, effectively sealing one of the main entry points for water and dust, unlike the iPhone's method which relies on adhesives and sealing gaskets. The device's exact water resistance rating is still unknown. This change is one of four major updates expected for the device this year, most notably the switch to an OLED screen instead of LCD, in addition to a significant performance boost via a new processor, likely the A20 Pro. Apple last updated the iPad Mini in October 2024, and its current starting price is $599 after recent price increases.
Approval of the settlement of the Siri lawsuit
Apple has received preliminary court approval for its $250 million settlement to end a class-action lawsuit over the delayed launch of AI-powered Siri features. The company initially announced the features in June 2024 but then postponed them to March 2025, leading to accusations of misleading advertising. There is no official website yet for submitting claims, and it could be months before applications are accepted, so eligible customers are not required to take any action at this time.
Eligibility includes U.S. residents who purchased an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 model between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. Each eligible claimant will receive $25 per device, which may increase to $95 if fewer claims are received than anticipated. Notifications will be sent to eligible claimants approximately 45 days after approval, but even without notification, a customer remains eligible if they meet the required conditions.
Lawsuit filed over a flaw in Apple's A12 and A13 chips
A security research firm last month revealed a critical vulnerability in Apple's A12 and A13 chips, but the report was later removed after a lawsuit was filed against it by a digital forensics company. The vulnerability lies in a part of the chip called the "boot ROM," which cannot be patched through iOS updates because it is permanently embedded in the chip's memory. These chips are used in devices such as the iPhone XS and iPhone 11, making the issue particularly sensitive given that it cannot be fixed by traditional updates.
Meta launches free “Facebook Verified” badge
Meta has announced a new feature called “Facebook Verified,” a free badge designed to confirm that a Facebook account belongs to a real person and is not an AI-generated fake. The feature works by requiring users to record a short selfie video, which Meta then compares to their profile pictures for verification. The process takes only a few minutes and is available to users aged 18 and over who adhere to community standards and exhibit no suspicious behavior. This feature is not available for business pages or professional accounts; it is intended for personal accounts only.
After verification, the badge appears in the Marketplace, Dating, Groups, and Profile sections, with plans to later expand it to include posts on the homepage. This free feature differs from the paid "Meta Verified" service, which offers additional benefits such as impersonation protection; the new badge focuses solely on proving that the account belongs to a real person. The feature is being rolled out gradually in select markets before a global expansion later.
Claude's voice mode now supports Opus and Sonnet models.
Anthropic has expanded voice mode support in Cloud to include the more powerful Opus and Sonnet models, previously limited to the faster and simpler Haiku model. This mode enables full voice conversations with Cloud without the need for typing, allowing users to switch between models and switch between text and audio within the same conversation without losing context. This now allows for longer and more complex conversations. Voice mode can also leverage integrated tools like Gmail, Google Calendar, and Slack, so Cloud can summarize an email or review an appointment audibly. This mode works on iOS, Android, desktop, and web, but it is not yet supported for the newer Fable model.
Apple seeks to lower OLED screen prices
Apple is pressuring its OLED display suppliers to lower their prices for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, at a time when the costs of memory chips and other components are rising. Reports indicate that Apple is proposing to pay around $70 per display, while industry estimates predict the actual cost will be around $66.50 from major display suppliers, a decrease of nearly 20% compared to the prices of the previous generation.
This decline comes despite the fact that this generation's screens require more complex manufacturing processes using new materials that improve light efficiency, screen lifespan, and color quality. Smartphone companies generally try to offset rising memory costs by reducing the costs of other components such as screens and cameras. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro models in September, along with its first foldable phone, with prices starting at $1299 and $1399 respectively—a $200 increase over the previous generation due to higher memory and storage costs.
Miscellaneous news
Apple has said that new rules being considered by UK regulators to force it to allow developers to direct users to payment methods outside the App Store would be a “significant interference” with its business. The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) argues that the move would reduce fees and increase competition, but stipulates that any fees Apple charges must be fair and lower than current rates. Apple countered that the rules would stifle innovation and amount to price control, while the CMA maintains it is only seeking to ensure fair fees and is continuing its consultations before making a final decision, which will also affect Google.
OpenAI CEO Greg Brockman asserted that his company has no need for Apple's trade secrets, emphasizing that it innovates from its own perspective and operates according to long-term plans for product development. Apple accuses OpenAI of stealing confidential information from its former employees, while the company continues working on new devices, such as a portable smart speaker expected to launch soon, in addition to developing its own chips. Brockman explained that the goal is to deliver devices "built for the age of artificial intelligence" that will be beneficial in the long run. The legal dispute between the two parties continues, with OpenAI offering no further details.
Apple is preparing to launch a new smart home device between October and early next year, combining a HomePod-like speaker with a 7-inch screen. The device will run on a new tvOS-based operating system with an interface featuring apps and tools, and will support facial recognition to display personal information for each user. It will also include features such as FaceTime calls, control of smart home devices, photo and music playback, and communication between Apple smart home devices. The report also indicated that Apple is working on an advanced security camera to compete with Amazon's Ring products.
Apple plans to release new versions of the Apple TV and HomePod Mini in September or October, featuring faster processors that support artificial intelligence via Siri. The Apple TV will get the A17 Pro chip with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, while the HomePod Mini will come with an S9 chip or later, along with improved sound and new color options. The design won't change much, but an updated Siri remote is expected. These devices will coincide with the release of iOS 27, macOS 27, and other operating systems that will make Siri AI available to everyone.
Apple has released iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 for iPhones and iPads, adding important security fixes and preparing the system for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, which will be released in September with the new iPhones. The updates can be downloaded directly from Settings and are among the last releases in the iOS 26 series before the transition to the next generation. With this move, Apple continues to enhance security and improve performance in preparation for the major updates to come.
US President Donald Trump announced that his administration will launch an investigation into the fines imposed by the European Union on companies like Apple, Google, and Meta for alleged antitrust violations. Trump described these penalties as "illegal and immoral," asserting that he will work to overturn them and impose substantial tariffs on Europe in retaliation for what he considers the targeting of American companies. The European Union has fined Apple, Google, and Meta billions of dollars in recent years, while Trump continues to prioritize tariffs as a means of exerting pressure and protecting American economic interests.
The Santa Clara County Fire Department reported that firefighters responded Thursday evening to a fire outside a building leased by Apple near its headquarters in Cupertino. The fire, which occurred at a building known as Apple Forge 1, lasted approximately 45 minutes before the incident was officially closed. While one person described the damage as “significant,” photos showed only limited damage to the fence, and it was unclear whether there were any injuries.
Primate Labs has released version 7 of its popular benchmarking software, Geekbench, featuring a redesigned multi-core processor test that more accurately reflects real-world application usage. The software also includes an updated graphics test focused on AI and content editing, such as face tracking, image enhancement, and video processing. New audio, video, and in-game physics tests have also been added, along with support for newer image formats. Geekbench is available for free on iOS and macOS, with a 20% discount on the Pro version until August 6th.
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