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- Thursday April 23
- 06:01 pmThe iPhone is ‘not getting disrupted’ at all by AI, says Perplexity CEO
AI is shaking up plenty of industries around the world, but despite concern from some analysts, the iPhone appears stronger than ever despite Apple’s AI struggles. And that’s not a coincidence, according to Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas. more…06:00 pmTim Cook Calls Apple Maps Launch His 'First Really Big Mistake' as CEO
In a recent town hall meeting reported by Bloomberg (paywalled), Apple CEO Tim Cook named the troubled 2012 launch of Apple Maps as his "first really big mistake" in the role. "The product wasn't ready, and we thought it was because we were testing more of local kind of stuff," Cook told staff. MacRumors reports: Reflecting on the debacle, Cook said it was "valuable," noting that he expressed regret to users at the time and suggested they use competing navigation apps instead. "We apologized for it, and we said, 'Go use these other apps. They're better than ours.' And that was some humble pie," Cook said. "But it was the right thing for our users. And so it's an example of keeping the user at the center of the decisions that we made." Cook added: "Now we've got the best map app on the planet. We learned about persistence, and we did exactly the right thing having made the mistake." Read more of this story at Slashdot.05:29 pmiPhone 18 Pro and Ultra details revealed in leaker’s extensive Q&A
Macworld One of the traditional phases of an iPhone rumor cycle is the arrival of dummy units. These non-functional early prototypes are made for design illustration and size comparison purposes, often by manufacturing partners and accessory makers rather than Apple itself. They can’t be used to run apps or anything of that sort. But they can still tell us a lot about the design of an upcoming product. This week, for example, the tech YouTuber Vadim Yuryev posted photos of three new dummy units. So far, so relatively standard. He’s obtained metal dummies of all three late-2026 iPhones: the 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Fold (or iPhone Ultra, as I’ll call it for the rest of this article). They look largely the way previous rumors have suggested they will, and have the expected design and external features: two rear-facing camera lenses on the Ultra, three on the Pro models, and no MagSafe on the Ultra. But Yuryev decided not to leave it there. He invited questions. The subsequent AMA (or Ask Me Anything, from the Reddit ritual) is required reading for anyone interested in this year’s new phones. Here are some of the questions, and Yuryev’s answers. Q: Will the new phones have larger camera lenses than the 17 Pro?A: Yes. Q: What’s the thickness of the Ultra when closed?A: Exactly 11mm. Q: So the Fold [Ultra] won’t be a unibody? More like the design of the iPhone Air with polished titanium, I assume?A: Yes. What you said. Q: Do we know [from the dummies] how much they will weigh?A: No. These are much heavier. Q: Is the 18 Pro the same size as the 17 Pro? Do old cases fit?A: 0.36mm taller. 0.39mm wider. Same thickness. Loose-fitting or rubber cases might still fit, who knows? Q: It will be in titanium, right?A: Yes. Q: If the Ultra truly is not going to have MagSafe that is going to be the biggest fail.A: Yeah I don’t think they have room. Will have to rely on MagSafe cases. Q: Any base [iPhone 18] dummy?A: It’s identical to the iPhone 17 as far as I know. Probably just a smaller Dynamic Island and buttons moved around a bit to ensure that you have to buy a new case. It isn’t clear how Yuryev is so sure about his answers, which you’ll notice encompass some facts that cannot be deduced from the dummies alone: the design of the baseline iPhone 18, for example, or the materials used for the new phones. He doesn’t name a source for the dummies themselves, or for the other information. So it’s probably best to regard these claims as unproven for the time being. In any case these aren’t the first dummies we’ve seen for the late-2026 iPhone launches. As early as December, in fact, we got one for the iPhone Ultra, although we should emphasise that it was created by a 3D printing hobbyist based on leaked CAD files rather than by a company. So maybe that one doesn’t count. Then in April, the prolific leaker Sonny Dickson posted images of dummies of the iPhone Ultra, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max, insisting these illustrated the final sizes of those three products. But this latest leak is the first to engage with commenters’ questions in such depth. It therefore gives us our best insight yet into the design and features of the late-2026 iPhones, which we currently expect to launch in September. For all the latest info and rumors leading up to the launch, bookmark our regularly updated news hubs: iPhone 18 and iPhone Ultra. If you can’t wait that long, pick up a bargain on the current range with our roundup of the best iPhone deals.05:16 pmJohn Ternus explains what he thinks of Apple Vision Pro
Last week, Tom’s Guide published an interview with Apple SVPs John Ternus and Greg Joswiak. We covered many of the quotes here, but Apple’s incoming CEO Ternus also shared his thoughts on the Vision Pro. more…05:10 pmClaude just gained Spotify music and podcast integration, here’s what it can do
Spotify is celebrating its 20th birthday today, and one new gift for users is Claude integration. Spotify’s music and podcast streaming service now integrates with Anthropic’s AI. Here’s how it works. more…05:06 pmApple's M4 Mac mini, including the $599 one, is gradually becoming impossible to buy
Pending refresh? RAM shortage? AI agents? There are many possible explanations.05:01 pmApple lowers savings account rate for Apple Card users to 3.50%
Apple has reduced the interest rate on its high-yield savings account tied to the Apple Card, dropping the annual percentage yield (APY)… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.04:50 pmApple is reportedly working on six new product categories
Apple is reportedly working on bringing no fewer than six new product categories to market soon, in part as Tim Cook's swansong as CEO of the company.Apple Home Hub to arrive in 2026 with Apple IntelligenceFollowing the news that Apple CEO Tim Cook will be replaced by Ternus in late 2026, a new report has detailed the products his teams are working on. Speaking during an interview with TBPN, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple has products in six new product categories in the works. This is alongside its usual product refreshes, like new iPhones, iPads, and more.Apple's 2024 Apple Vision Pro release was the last time it entered a new category. The spatial computer has so far failed to capture the imagination of the larger market, but that hasn't deterred the company from entering new markets in the future. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums04:40 pmiPhone gets more important as every AI improves, Perplexity CEO says
Artificial intelligence has been widely predicted to disrupt smartphones, and hurt Apple, but Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas argues that the iPhone will become more important as AI improveApple IntelligenceIn a segment from "This Week in AI" published on April 23, Aravind Srinivas, co-founder and CEO of AI search company Perplexity, lays out an outside view of Apple's position. Srinivas, who previously worked in AI research roles at OpenAI, Google, and DeepMind, argues that AI may reinforce Apple's core products instead of replacing them."The phone, the iPhone is actually not getting disrupted by AI at all," Srinivas says, arguing that better AI pushes the device in the opposite direction, turning it into "your digital passport." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums04:40 pmApple Watch has a useful hidden feature for tracking a great healthy habit
My new favorite Apple Watch and Apple Health metric is one that has been quietly working in the background for years. Specifically, it’s a bit of a hidden Apple Watch feature for tracking a great healthy habit: Time in Daylight. more…04:37 pmApple stops weirdly storing data that let cops spy on Signal chats
Signal “very happy” Apple fixed bug storing private chats after app was deleted.04:14 pmApple shares fun new ‘Health with iPhone + Apple Watch’ ad with wonderful tagline
Apple has released a new video ad that highlights how the Health app works with iPhone and Apple Watch. The commercial centers around someone receiving lots of unsolicited health advice from strangers in public. more…04:00 pmGet started with Apple Music Classical: A simple how-to guide
The Apple Music Classical iPhone app is specifically designed as a great experience for browsing and listening to instrumental music. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:53 pmApple has ‘six major new product categories’ coming, says Mark Gurman
Apple launches new iPhone models every year, but products in all-new categories are far more rare. Here are six “major new product categories” that Mark Gurman just told TBPN are in development at Apple. more…03:38 pmApple TV debuts trailer for ‘Star City,’ new space-race drama set in the world of ‘For All Mankind’ | Mac Daily NewsApple TV debuts trailer for ‘Star City,’ new space-race drama set in the world of ‘For All Mankind’
Apple TV on Thursday debuted the gripping trailer for “Star City,” the highly anticipated new space race drama that expands… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.03:35 pmOpenAI teases GPT-5.5 model upgrade for ChatGPT in cryptic message
OpenAI is expected to be nearing an announcement around GPT-5.5, its next model upgrade to ChatGPT. A cryptic post on X includes a hidden teaser, suggesting the news is coming soon. more…03:32 pmDeals: M5 Pro MacBook Pro up to $220 off, M5 Max models up to $400 off, M3 iPad Air clearance $250 off, more | 9 to 5 MacDeals: M5 Pro MacBook Pro up to $220 off, M5 Max models up to $400 off, M3 iPad Air clearance $250 off, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by this 2TB 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro hitting its best price yet at $170 off alongside Apple’s wild 8TB M5 Max MacBook Pro at $400 off, and some nano-texture models $220 off. Amazon’s M3 iPad Air clearance deals are back at up to $250 off and we also have Apple’s 11-inch 1TB M5 iPad Pro at $150 off. Head below for a closer look. more…03:30 pmThis Anker 3-in-1 charging stand quickly powers up your iPhone [Review] ★★★★☆
No patience for slow wireless chargers? Then you need to check out the Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station. It delivers up to 25W, and so can give an iPhone 17 a nearly 50% charge in half an hour. There’s even a fan to keep things cool. At the same time, the accessory boasts charging mats […] (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:55 pmAI songs are flooding Apple Music but nobody is actually listening to them
Apple Music VP Oliver Schusser says that while AI-generated music now makes up a large share of submissions to Apple Music, it accounts for almost none of what people actually play.Oliver SchusserIn an interview published on April 22, Schusser highlighted an imbalance. He explained that more than a third of tracks delivered to the service are "100% AI," but listening remains below 0.5%.Apple is taking proactive steps before AI-generated music distorts the platform's integrity. "We have developed — and we've never talked about this — but we've developed technology in-house that would allow us to exactly see what music people are delivering us," Schusser said, "what AI [model] it is and all that."The company is asking labels and distributors to disclose AI use in songs, while also relying on internal systems to analyze incoming content and verify those disclosures. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:46 pmToday in Apple history: App Store hits 1 billion downloads
On April 23, 2009, the App Store reached a remarkable milestone less than a year after opening its virtual doors: 1 billion downloads. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)