Apple is working on launching a new smart device between October and the beginning of the year, the release of Geekbench 7, lower OLED screen prices, Meta launching a free “Facebook Verified” badge, a lawsuit over a vulnerability in Apple’s A12 and A13 chips, approval of the Siri lawsuit settlement, the first water-resistant iPad from Apple to be released later this year, Apple planning to unveil its smart glasses at WWDC 2027, and other exciting news on the sidelines…
Qualcomm expects a faster decline in its revenue from Apple
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon revealed that the company’s revenue from Apple will decline faster than expected due to supply chain issues that will reduce the share of Qualcomm chips in the upcoming iPhone to below previous estimates, which were as high as 20%, with this decline starting from the last quarter of the year. In a parallel move, Qualcomm intends to raise its prices starting in September to offset rising costs across the supply chain. The company is betting on the future growth of its business in data centers and other non-smartphone sectors to compensate for this shortfall.
This decline comes as Apple is increasingly relying on its own modem chips, which have already been used in the iPhone 16e, iPhone 17e, and iPhone Air. Leaks indicate that this reliance will expand further with the upcoming iPhone 18 series, as Apple is working on developing a new modem chip known as C2, which is said to be faster and more power-efficient compared to Qualcomm’s chips. The fate of the patent licensing agreement between the two companies, which expires in March 2027, remains unclear for now.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Review
In his review of the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, the MacRumors team noted that this device is very close to the expected design of Apple’s foldable “iPhone Ultra” coming later this year. Its wide 4:3 screen ratio, measuring 5.5 inches when folded and 7.6 inches when unfolded, is very close to the dimensions suggested by leaks regarding the iPhone Ultra, giving it a form factor closer to an iPad mini and making it ideal for multitasking and side-by-side video viewing.
Despite the advantages of this design, some applications are not yet optimized for this screen size, while Apple appears to be working on solving this issue through automatic app resizing technology. It is noted that the Samsung phone contains only two camera lenses without a telephoto lens, which is also expected in the iPhone Ultra, in addition to the absence of Face ID in favor of a return to fingerprint scanning—changes that may be considered among the most notable drawbacks of choosing this model compared to the iPhone 18 Pro. Samsung also used a new hinge that reduces the visibility of the crease, and it will be interesting to see how Apple’s design compares to it.
Although the expected price of the iPhone Ultra could reach $2,500, which is higher than the $1,900 price of the Samsung device, the author has become convinced, after his actual experience with the foldable phone from Samsung and showing it to others, that the iPhone Ultra will be a great success despite its high price, especially with Apple’s recent launch of the “Apple Upgrade” program, which allows leasing the phone with lower monthly installments.
New update for the Gemini app on Mac
Google has released an update for the Gemini app for Mac that allows enabling voice conversation mode by long-pressing the Fn key, enabling users to speak naturally with Gemini from any window on the device, with speech-to-text conversion and automatic removal of filler words. The update also includes an optional feature that allows Gemini to “see” what is on the screen to help users edit or summarize text, or even create and edit images directly within the app they are working on. This feature is launching globally in English for now, with plans to add other languages in the future.
Amazon files to launch a satellite network to support the iPhone
Amazon plans to launch a network of up to 5,105 satellites in low Earth orbit, operating using frequencies from Globalstar, which Amazon is currently acquiring, to provide voice, data, messaging, and emergency services to devices like the iPhone. This project is expected to enhance the current satellite features on the iPhone and Apple Watch Ultra 3, following a previous agreement between Amazon and Apple that combines the Globalstar and Amazon Leo networks to support future services such as satellite messaging, location tracking, and roadside assistance. The network will rely on five orbital constellations covering densely populated areas and polar regions, pending regulatory approval, with satellite launches expected to begin in 2028.
Apple responds to a lawsuit regarding a fake wallet app on 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 named “Sparrow Wallet” on the App Store, even though this app is actually only available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, not on iOS. The plaintiffs accuse Apple of negligence in reviewing and monitoring apps despite marketing the store as a “safe and trusted” place, noting that Apple did not act sufficiently even after being notified of the existence of fraudulent copies, which was also confirmed by the original app developer in previous statements. In its response, Apple announced that it had taken swift action to remove the impersonating apps and terminate the accounts of the developers associated with them, confirming that it provides means to report fraud and that in 2025 alone, it stopped more than 193,000 violating developer accounts and prevented fraud operations worth over $2.2 billion.
Apple plans to unveil its smart glasses at WWDC 2027
Apple intends to unveil its first smart glasses during the WWDC conference in June 2027, with a special focus on privacy features that the company is currently developing and which have not yet been released in any of its products. Given some users’ concerns about covert recording via smart glasses, Apple has considered launching a version with a camera that supports AI features without the ability to record photos or video, and has even tested a version without a camera at all. However, it is most likely that they will launch glasses with a camera equipped with privacy protection measures that usually distinguish Apple products compared to competitors like Meta Ray-Ban glasses. The glasses will also include speakers and microphones for music, calls, and Siri notifications, with a customer release expected in late 2027.
First water-resistant iPad from Apple to be released later this year
The upcoming iPad mini is expected to be the first iPad to feature a water-resistant design, with a release by next October, according to journalist Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. To achieve this, Apple has developed a new speaker system that relies on vibration instead of traditional openings, where sound is emitted from the surface of the device itself, closing one of the most important ports through which water and dust usually leak, unlike the method used in the iPhone which relies on adhesives and seals. The exact water resistance rating of the device is still unknown. This change comes as part of four major updates expected for the device this year, most notably the shift to an OLED screen instead of LCD, in addition to a significant leap in performance via a new processor, likely the A20 Pro. Apple last updated the iPad mini in October 2024, and its price currently starts at $599 after recent price increases.
Siri lawsuit settlement approved
Apple has received preliminary court approval for its $250 million settlement to end a class-action lawsuit regarding the delayed launch of AI-powered Siri features, which the company had announced in June 2024 and then delayed in March 2025, leading to accusations of false advertising. There is no official website for submitting claims yet, and it may take months before claims begin to be accepted, so eligible customers are not required to take any action at this time.
Eligibility includes residents of the United States 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 the number of claims is lower than expected. Notifications will be sent to eligible individuals approximately 45 days after approval, but even without a notification, the customer remains eligible if they meet the required conditions.
Lawsuit over a vulnerability in Apple’s A12 and A13 chips
A security research firm revealed last month a dangerous vulnerability in Apple’s A12 and A13 chips, but the report was deleted after a lawsuit was filed against it by a company specializing in digital forensics. The vulnerability is located in a part of the chip called the “boot ROM,” which is a part that cannot be fixed via 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 problem sensitive given that it cannot be patched with traditional updates.
Meta launches free “Facebook Verified” badge
Meta has announced a new feature called “Facebook Verified,” a free badge aimed at confirming that a Facebook account actually belongs to a real person and not a fake account created by AI. The feature relies on recording a short selfie video that Meta compares to profile pictures to ensure a match, and the process takes a few minutes, provided the account belongs to a user aged 18 or older and adheres to community standards without any suspicious behavior. This feature does not include business pages or professional accounts, as it is intended for personal accounts only.
After verification, the badge appears in the Marketplace, Dating, Groups, and Profile sections, with plans to expand it later to include posts on the main feed. This free feature differs from the paid “Meta Verified” service, which offers additional benefits such as protection against identity theft, as the new badge focuses only on proving that the account belongs to a real person. The feature is being rolled out gradually in selected markets in preparation for a later global expansion.
Claude voice mode now supports Opus and Sonnet models
Anthropic has expanded voice mode support in Claude to include the more powerful Opus and Sonnet models, after it was previously limited to the faster and simpler Haiku model. This mode allows for full voice conversations with Claude without the need for typing, with the ability to navigate between models and switch between text and voice during the same conversation without losing context, now allowing for longer and more complex conversations. Voice mode can also utilize linked tools such as Gmail, Google Calendar, and Slack, so that Claude can summarize an email or review an appointment audibly. This mode works on iOS, Android, desktop, and the web, but it does not yet support the newer Fable model.
Apple seeks to lower OLED screen prices
Apple is pressuring OLED screen suppliers to lower their prices for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, at a time when costs for memory chips and other components are rising. Reports indicate that Apple is proposing to pay about $70 per screen, while industry estimates expect the actual cost to reach about $66.50 from major screen suppliers, a decrease of nearly 20% compared to the prices of the previous generation.
This decline comes even though the screens of this generation require greater manufacturing complexity using new materials that improve lighting efficiency, screen lifespan, and color quality, as smartphone companies generally try to offset rising memory costs by lowering the costs of other components such as screens and cameras. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro models in September alongside the first foldable phone, with their prices starting at $1,299 and $1,399 respectively, an increase of $200 over the previous generation due to higher memory and storage costs.
Miscellaneous News
◉ Apple said that new rules being considered by regulators in the UK to force it to allow developers to direct users to payment methods outside the App Store would be a “major intervention” in how it operates. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority believes this move will reduce fees and increase competition, but it stipulates that any fees Apple charges must be fair and lower than current rates. Apple responded that these rules would harm innovation and are a form of price regulation, while the authority confirms it is only seeking to ensure fair fees, with its consultations continuing before making a final decision that will also include Google.
◉ OpenAI president Greg Brockman confirmed that his company does not need Apple’s trade secrets, emphasizing that it innovates from its own perspective and works according to long-term plans to develop its products. Apple accuses OpenAI of stealing confidential information from its former employees, while the company continues to work on new devices such as a portable smart speaker expected to be launched soon, in addition to developing its own chips. Brockman explained that the goal is to provide devices “built for the AI era” that are useful in the long term, while the legal case between the two parties continues without additional details from OpenAI.
◉ Apple is preparing to launch a new smart device for home management between October and the beginning of next year, combining a speaker similar to a HomePod with a 7-inch screen. The device will run on a new system based on tvOS with an interface including apps and widgets, and will support facial recognition to display personal information for each user, in addition to features such as FaceTime calls, home device control, photo viewing, music, and communication between Apple 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 launch new versions of Apple TV and HomePod mini in September or October, with faster processors that support AI via Siri. The Apple TV device will get an A17 Pro chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support, while the HomePod mini will come with an S9 chip or newer, with improvements in sound and new color options. The design will not change much, but an updated Siri remote is expected to arrive, at a time when these devices coincide with the launch of iOS 27, macOS 27, and others that will make Siri AI available to everyone.
◉ Apple has released the iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 update for iPhone and iPad, adding important security fixes and preparing the system to receive the upcoming iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 in September with the new iPhones. The updates can be downloaded directly from Settings, and they are among the last releases in the iOS 26 series before moving to the new generation. With this step, Apple continues to enhance security and improve performance in preparation for the upcoming major updates.
◉ US President Donald Trump announced that his administration will open an investigation into the fines imposed by the European Union on companies such as Apple, Google, and Meta due to violations related to competition laws. Trump described these penalties as “illegal and immoral,” confirming that he will work to cancel them and impose large customs duties on Europe in response to what he considered targeting of American companies. The European Union had fined Apple, Google, and Meta billions of dollars over the past years, while Trump continues to focus on tariff policy as a means of pressure and protecting American economic interests.
◉ The Santa Clara County Fire Department reported that firefighters responded Thursday evening to a fire that broke out outside a building leased by Apple next to its headquarters in Cupertino. The fire occurred in a building known as Apple Forge 1 and lasted about 45 minutes before the report was officially closed. Although one person described the damage as “significant,” photos showed only limited damage to the fence, and it was not clear if there were any injuries.
◉ Primate Labs has launched the seventh version of the famous benchmarking software Geekbench, with a new design for multi-core processor testing to reflect real-world app usage more accurately, in addition to an updated graphics test that focuses on AI and content editing such as face tracking, image enhancement, and video processing. New tests for audio, video, and physics within games have also been added, along with support for modern image formats. The software is available for free on iOS and macOS, with a 20% discount on the Pro version until August 6.
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