A Ferrari designed by Apple’s Jony Ive, the iOS 26.6 update that alerts you when you reach the blocked numbers limit, and Meta charging for the use of its products! YouTube automatically detects AI, the first leaked images of foldable iPhone cases, and new black parts for the Vision Pro. Siri gets a complete makeover with a dark design and a Google brain in iOS 27, Apple Watch and non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, and manufacturing hurdles for the foldable iPhone. OpenAI’s Codex sparks both concern and admiration with its ability to control a Mac even while it’s locked!, and other exciting news on the sidelines…
Ferrari unveils its electric car designed by Jony Ive
Ferrari has unveiled its first fully electric car, named “Luce,” designed in collaboration with renowned designer Jony Ive, Apple’s former design chief, alongside his colleague Marc Newson. The car features a sleek, shell-like exterior with floating front and rear wings to improve airflow, while its interior combines precise mechanical buttons and dials with multi-functional digital screens and a three-spoke steering wheel made entirely of recycled aluminum. The car has four doors and five seats, powered by four electric motors providing up to 1,035 horsepower, with a 122 kWh battery, capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds. It is accompanied by a dedicated app to control settings and monitor the car’s status. Prices start at 550,000 euros (approximately $640,000), with production beginning in late 2026 and a US launch in the first half of 2027. It is worth noting that Apple had been working on its own electric car project for over a decade before abandoning it entirely in 2024.
iOS 26.6 update will alert you when you reach the maximum limit of blocked contacts
Apple is preparing to release the iOS 26.6 update, which will add a new alert notifying the user when they reach the maximum allowed limit of blocked contacts. A message will appear asking them to delete some old blocked numbers to make room for new ones. While Apple has not officially specified this limit, some users have reported issues when blocking more than 20,000 numbers, and others at just 8,000. To delete blocked numbers, you can go to Settings, then Apps, then Phone, then Blocked Contacts, and swipe left on each number to delete it, noting that there is no tool to delete them all at once. To deal with spam calls more easily, iOS 26 offers a “Request Call Reason” feature that diverts calls from unknown numbers to voicemail. You can also silence all calls from unknown numbers and filter them into a separate list within the Phone app. Apple has made the first beta version of iOS 26.6 available to developers, with the public version expected to be released within a few weeks.
Meta asks you to pay for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp
Meta has announced the launch of paid subscription plans for its three major apps globally. You can now subscribe to “Instagram Plus” or “Facebook Plus” for $3.99 per month each, or “WhatsApp Plus” for $2.99 per month. These subscriptions include additional features such as profile customization, seeing who re-watched your stories, hiding your viewing of others’ stories without them knowing, extending stories beyond 24 hours, posting to your profile without appearing in your followers’ feed, as well as adding animated reactions and custom fonts. Meta also revealed unified packages under the name “Meta One,” including plans for regular users, creators, and businesses. The “Meta One Plus” plan at $7.99 and the “Meta One Premium” plan at $19.99 are designed for AI users, offering more advanced search, image, and video generation capabilities. Meanwhile, the “Meta One Essential” plan at $14.99 targets content creators and businesses, granting them a verification badge and advanced analytics tools, while the advanced plan at $49.99 adds broader promotional features. Meta will begin testing some of these plans in several countries soon, with promises of more features in the future.
YouTube: “Made with AI” labeling on videos
YouTube has announced a new system that automatically detects videos containing significantly realistic AI-generated content and places a clear label directly below the video player for long-form videos, or as an overlay in Shorts, even if the creator has not disclosed it themselves. Creators are still required to manually disclose the use of AI, although they can challenge the automatic label if it is inaccurate, except for videos made with YouTube’s own tools like Veo and Dream Screen, where the label is permanent. For animated videos or those with minor, non-misleading AI edits, the label will remain hidden within the expanded video description. In a separate context, YouTube has launched a new feature that allows users to customize the content feed they see based on their interests and mood by writing a prompt in natural language. This feature has begun rolling out to registered users in the United States via the YouTube mobile app and on desktop, requiring search and watch history to be enabled.
First foldable iPhone cases appear online
Accessory manufacturer iFunSmart has begun showcasing protective cases for Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone, reinforcing rumors about the device’s design. As usual, accessory companies begin manufacturing cases before the official announcement, using prototypes or leaked design files to ensure accurate dimensions. The displayed cases show a slim design with only two cutouts for the rear lenses without a zoom lens, a circular cutout for the MagSafe magnet, and a camera control button without an Action button. It is worth noting that the presence of a magnet in the case does not necessarily mean the device itself supports MagSafe, as the magnet might be integrated into the case only for compatibility with external accessories. Apple is expected to launch this device in the fall of 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Leaks indicate it will feature a 5.5-inch external screen and a 7.8-inch internal screen, with an A20 Pro processor, 12GB of RAM, two 48MP rear cameras, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor instead of Face ID, with a price starting at around $2,000.
New parts for a black version of the Vision Pro headset appear online
Images have leaked of parts for an unannounced all-black version of the Vision Pro headset, including the battery strap and audio holders. They appear identical to the parts in the current device, except for their dark color, which is not commercially available. This is not the first time parts in this color have appeared; similar images leaked last year, with the leaker claiming Apple was testing a lighter and thinner version of the headset known internally as “Vision Air” in a dark color with a titanium frame. However, the landscape has changed; after expectations of an economy version and an upgraded version of the Vision Pro, Apple-focused journalist Mark Gurman revealed that the company has paused development of all Vision headsets to focus on AI-powered smart glasses, reassigning the team to other projects such as AirPods with cameras and an AI device worn around the neck. Gurman confirmed that Apple has not completely abandoned the Vision Pro, but those hoping for a successor will likely wait at least two years, noting that Apple updated the Vision Pro in October 2025 with an M5 processor.
New Siri design in iOS 27 will adopt dark colors in line with WWDC events
Apple is working on a comprehensive redesign of its smart assistant, Siri, within iOS 27. It will receive a standalone app, integration with the Dynamic Island, and an entirely new interface adopting dark colors with shades of pink, dark blue, purple, and orange, identical to the colors Apple uses in the design of its annual WWDC conference website, according to journalist Mark Gurman. Currently, there is no light-colored version of the new interface. When Siri is activated, an oval-shaped animation will appear in the Dynamic Island with a pulsing indicator in the same colors, while results are displayed in a transparent panel that can be pulled down to start a continuous conversation, similar to modern smart chat apps. The universal search interface can also be activated by swiping down from the top of the screen to type or talk to Siri. Most notably, Apple has reached an agreement with Google to use Gemini AI models as the primary engine for Siri after its own models were found to be lacking, which will give Siri advanced capabilities comparable to its competitors. iOS 27 is scheduled to be officially unveiled at the WWDC 2026 conference on June 8.
Android companies may follow Apple’s new strategy of launching the iPhone in two phases
According to leaks from a reliable Chinese source known as “Digital Chat Station,” phone companies running Android are considering adopting the new approach Apple is moving toward in launching its phones, which involves releasing premium models first and then regular models later at a separate time, instead of launching all models at once. Apple itself intends to launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its foldable iPhone in the fall of 2026, while the regular iPhone 18 and iPhone Air models will be released in the spring of 2027. This is partly due to production pressures on advanced chips and memory, in addition to Apple’s desire to maximize sales of premium models before introducing cheaper alternatives. If Android companies take this step, it would be a significant shift from their current approach; Samsung, for example, usually launches all Galaxy S models at once at the beginning of the year, while releasing foldable phones in the middle, whereas Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo mostly start with regular models before premium ones, the exact opposite of what Apple does.
Apple Watch and blood glucose monitoring: Latest updates on Apple’s non-invasive monitoring plans
Reports have been circulating for years that the Apple Watch will one day have a feature to measure blood glucose levels without the need to prick a finger or wear a separate monitoring device, which would be a qualitative leap for millions of diabetics. According to journalist Mark Gurman, Apple recently transferred supervision of this project to an experienced engineer known for their ability to complete and deliver projects, which is interpreted as a positive indicator of progress toward a stage closer to actual implementation, after more than 15 years of development. The technology relies on emitting lasers at specific wavelengths that penetrate the skin and interact with interstitial fluids that absorb glucose, then return to the sensor to be analyzed by an algorithm that determines the sugar level, with the possibility of early warning for pre-diabetes. However, Gurman points out that this feature will not be available on the Apple Watch soon and may take additional years, if it happens at all. However, if successful, it will provide diabetics with a more comfortable and easier solution to monitor their health daily.
Leaker refutes rumors of iPhone Pro returning to a titanium frame
A well-known Chinese leaker on the Weibo platform known as “Fixed Focus Digital” denied rumors about Apple returning to using titanium in the iPhone Pro frame soon, confirming that aluminum is the only practical choice at the moment. This is due to the requirements of running local AI features that generate high heat, which requires efficient dissipation, a characteristic of aluminum. The leaker pointed out that this is not just Apple’s problem, but also one faced by Android and Huawei companies, which also rely on aluminum for the same reason. Apple had abandoned titanium in the iPhone 17 Pro after complaints about the overheating of the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro, although the iPhone Air still uses it. While another leaker claimed that Apple is exploring future alternatives such as liquid metal and improved titanium alloys, “Fixed Focus Digital” believes that aluminum is firmly established in Apple’s plans for longer than rumored, as the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain the same aluminum design, meaning that any change in materials will not happen before 2027 at best.
Reports of mass production issues for the foldable iPhone
The Chinese leaker known as “Fixed Focus Digital” revealed that Apple is facing issues in the pre-assembly stage of its foldable iPhone, specifically related to the technology of mounting electronic components on surfaces, which has led to a decline in successful production rates. These reports come days after another leaker reported that the foldable hinge was consistently failing quality tests related to repeated opening and closing, although they believe this issue will not affect the launch date. Previous reports indicated that production is running about one to two months behind the planned schedule, with mass production expected to begin in July. Despite these multiple challenges, it seems that the fall 2026 launch date is still on track, as journalist Mark Gurman confirmed that the device is still on track for a September launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, although he noted that the timing is not final yet. The device is expected to feature a 7.8-inch internal screen and a 5.5-inch external screen, with an A20 processor, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor instead of Face ID, and two rear cameras, with a price starting at around $2,000.
OpenAI’s Codex can now use a Mac even while it’s locked
OpenAI has launched a new feature for the Codex app on Mac devices that allows the smart assistant to control your device’s apps and work on them even while it is locked and its screen is off, as soon as you send it a task from your phone. To enable this feature, you must install the “Computer Use” extension and grant it screen recording and accessibility permissions. Afterward, Codex can click on windows, type, navigate through menus, and interact with the clipboard in apps that explicitly allow it. Codex asks for your permission before using each new app, with an “Always Allow” option for apps you trust. This feature stands out in tasks that command-line tools cannot handle easily, such as testing for bugs in visual interfaces or changing app settings. However, the feature is not currently available in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, and does not work with the Terminal app, Codex itself, or system management windows. In addition to that, Codex recently added an “Appshots” feature for taking quick screenshots of apps with a two-key press, and a “/goal” mode that enables it to work toward a specific goal over hours or days continuously.
Miscellaneous News
◉ Amazon announced a deal to acquire the satellite company Globalstar, which supported emergency services via satellite for iPhones and Apple Watches. The deal will transfer Apple’s 20% stake to Amazon, which will use its new network to power features such as emergency, messaging, location, and roadside assistance. The acquisition value reaches about $11.57 billion, and it is expected to be completed in 2027 after regulatory approval, giving Apple a stronger partner and ensuring continued support for satellite services for its users.
◉ Apple released a new support document to clarify the difference between professional creative apps within the Creator Studio subscription and the standalone versions purchased once. The reason is that both versions carry the same name and can be installed together on a Mac, which caused confusion for users. The solution was to redesign the subscription version icons in a “Liquid Glass” style, making them easy to identify from the dock or applications folder, especially as Apple continues to offer some exclusive features to subscribers.
◉ Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 next month, with an official launch in September. It will carry notable updates such as a standalone Siri app, AI improvements within apps like Wallet and Safari, and an upgraded keyboard. According to a new report, the system will add a new settings menu for AirPods in a more organized way, improve the quality of Genmoji and graphics, allow the choice of AirPlay alternatives like Google Cast (in Europe only), and a new Siri interface with a dark background. These features will be officially showcased at the WWDC 2026 conference on June 8.
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