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- Wednesday May 06
- 12:44 pmSmaller iPhone 18 Dynamic Island rumor surfaces again
A new leaker who previously claimed to have photos of a smaller iPhone 18 Dynamic Island, is now showing CAD renders of the same thing and calling this proof.Purported CAD images of the iPhone 17 range with a smaller Dynamic Island than before - image credit: @earlyappleleaksIt's not as if it's impossible that the iPhone 18 range will feature a reduced Dynamic Island, as very many previous rumors have also claimed this, even if some have seemed to be wishful thinking. But now leaker @EarlyAppleLeaks on X claims that his or her own reports are now confirmed.The new CAD confirms the smaller dynamic island of the iPhone 18 pro. The same goes for other designs. pic.twitter.com/v5T2kjGILe— Early Apple (@earlyappleleaks) May 4, 2026 Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:31 pmSketchy iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island rumors continue with claimed CAD images
Rumors of a smaller Dynamic Island are nothing new, but there’s been considerable speculation about this in respect of the iPhone 18 Pro. Adding fuel to the fire are claimed CAD images showing a smaller Dynamic Island, but we reiterate our earlier skepticism … more…12:00 pmApple Hedges Bets on Chips in Talks with Intel, Samsung
Apple is reportedly exploring U.S.-based chip production partnerships with Intel and Samsung as geopolitical tensions and supply chain concerns push tech companies to diversify manufacturing beyond Taiwan. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.11:56 amPornhub is now using Apple’s own age verification feature in the UK
I guess this is one “benefit” of the Apple ecosystem that won’t make it into a press release from the Cupertino company: Pornhub’s parent company has announced that it will be relying on Apple’s own age verification feature for its UK web visitors … more…11:19 amApple may have just made one of the most important new Siri announcements
Apple’s painfully slow launch of the new Siri has become such a long-running saga, it seems to have all the makings of a movie – though probably not one we will see launch on Apple TV. The announcement at the start of this year that it will be powered by Google’s Gemini models finally gave us reason for optimism, and the latest Apple AI news could be an equally important development … more…11:00 amWill Apple release anything new in May? Here’s what’s we expect
Macworld May is usually a slow month for Apple releases, and it should be no different this year. Apple’s OS 26es are still getting updates—the latest version, 26.5, will arrive this month—but they’re really minor at this point, as most of the work in Cupertino has long since shifted to the next major release. With the WWDC keynote set for June 8, big releases or major announcements would likely wait for that event. We don’t expect much to be announced in May, leaving most of Apple’s releases to be the minor 26.5 software updates and content for Apple TV and Apple Arcade. New hardware releases Apple started off 2026 with a flurry of releases, including the M5 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, AirTag 2, AirPods Max 2, and the all-new MacBook Neo, but it’s been quiet for a few weeks. And it’s likely to be quiet for a few more. While we’re waiting for several new devices to launch in spring or summer, with WWDC so close, we’ll likely have to wait until June for anything new to arrive. Here’s what Apple has waiting in the wings: M5 Mac mini: With Apple discontinuing the 256GB version of the M4 Mac mini, it’s unclear where the M5 Mac mini stands. We were expecting the new model to launch this spring, but with severe supply constraints due to the memory crunch, we might need to wait until fall. M5 Mac Studio: The Mac Studio is in the same boat as the Mac mini, with memory issues forcing Apple to cut back on some models, including the higher-end versions with 256GB of RAM. Apple TV 4K: Apple’s streaming box hasn’t been updated since 2022, when it got an A15 Bionic chip, USB-C Siri Remote, and a price cut. It’s been rumored to get an update to a newer chip, but Apple may have requisitioned those chips for the MacBook Neo. iPad: Apple’s entry-level iPad is the only tablet that can’t run Apple Intelligence, and with the new Siri likely to finally arrive this year, Apple is almost certain to give it an update with an AI-ready chip. -Apps and software updates OS 26.5 updates: The iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 updates bring a few new features, including suggested places (and advertisements) in Maps, end-to-end encryption in RCS messages (in beta), and new Pride wallpapers for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. On Apple Watch, you get a new Pride watch face, too. Of course, there are bug fixes and security updates on the way, too. While the 26.5 updates will be out by the second week of May, Apple doesn’t usually start the x.6 beta tests until after WWDC in June. And by then, all eyes will be on the first betas of iOS/macOS/watchOS 27, so this is essentially the last notable iOS 26 release, with no sign of the new Siri. Services Apple TV+ Here are the shows, series, and movies we expect to release on Apple TV+ in May. If you want to know what’s coming later, check our full guide to upcoming Apple TV+ content. Unconditional: A mother-daughter vacation turns in to a nightmare when 25-year-old Gali (Talia Lynne Ronn) is arrested for drug smuggling in Moscow. May 8 Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed: Newly divorced mom Paula falls down a dangerous rabbit hole of blackmail, murder, and youth soccer. May 20 Propeller One-Way Night Coach: Set in the golden age of aviation, a young airplane enthusiast and his mother set off on a one-way cross-country odyssey to Hollywood, which transforms a simple flight into the trip of a lifetime. May 29 Star City: A spin-off of the For All Mankind universe, Star City takes explores the story from behind the Iron Curtain, showing the lives of the cosmonauts, the engineers, and the intelligence officers embedded among them in the Soviet space program. May 29 Apple Arcade Apple releases most Apple Arcade games on the first Friday of each month. Check our Apple Arcade FAQ for a full list of Apple Arcade games and more details on the service. Occasionally, games are released with no forewarning, but you’ll usually see next month’s releases listed in the Coming Soon section. Good Pizza, Great Pizza+: A cozy pizza business simulator. May 7 Nick Jr. Replay!: Education game for preschoolers with Nick Jr. characters. May 7 Perchang World: Glossy physics puzzle game where you use gadgets to guide marbles to a finish line. May 7 Ultimate 8-Ball Pool+: Sophisticated 3D pool/billiards simulation. May 710:50 amwatchOS 26.5 is going to fix two bugs on your Apple Watch
Macworld Some pundits have wondered if Apple is running out of ideas for watchOS development, with major new features seemingly in short supply for the upcoming watchOS 27 demo at WWDC. But it will still be important to keep your Apple Watch’s software up to date, if only to keep on top of security patches and bug fixes. Take the watchOS 26.5 software update, for example. The point update, which is expected to roll out to the public next week, contains fixes for two bugs, according to the release notes (via MacRumors). Neither of them is disastrous, but given that OS updates are free, there’s no reason to suffer without the fix. Apple describes the bugs as follows: Fixes an issue where Messages on Apple Watch may use SMS instead of iMessage when paired with a dual SIM iPhone Fixes an issue where Workout app audio alerts could fail to play if the phone was not nearby Apple Watch If that isn’t enough incentive to install watchOS 26.5, Apple has also announced it will contain a new Pride Luminance watch face for Pride month. Apple rolled out the release candidate (RC) of watchOS 26.5, as well as the 26.5 RCs for the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Vision Pro, on May 4. The RC is a late beta version that in principle is ready to launch, unless a problem is spotted, so the final version is likely to roll out next week. To update watchOS on your Apple Watch, open the Settings app and tap General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap Install and follow the onscreen instructions.10:30 am7 major new Siri features coming with the iOS 27 overhaul
Macworld For over a decade, Siri has been able to perform some basic tasks on iOS, like checking the weather, playing music, pulling data from Wikipedia, and so on. While it works for this sort of use case, the virtual assistant’s comprehension skills can be limited, pushing you to utter simple, carefully-constructed phrases. Although rival voice assistants suffered from similar constraints once upon a time, they’ve long since moved on. On Android, for example, Google Gemini has gained agentic capabilities, allowing users to control their devices using natural language. This exposes the widening gap between the two platforms and further highlights Siri’s frustrating flaws. Fortunately, that’s all about to change, as iOS 27 is said to give Siri a complete overhaul, from the ground up. Here are the major new capabilities iOS 27 is reported to bring. Chat memory On iOS 27, Siri will likely be powered by a large language model (LLM), allowing it to engage in more complex conversations using natural phrasing. Instead of thinking twice before picking your words, you should be able to speak organically and it’ll supposedly understand you just fine. The upgrade would also grow its world knowledge, limiting the need to piggyback on ChatGPT or redirect you to generic web results when inquiring about certain matters. The LLM boost should make Siri more conversational and unlock a longer context window. If so, the chatbot would remember previous queries and base its later responses accordingly. In fact, it could be equipped with a long-term memory that recalls details from past sessions—not just the ongoing one. This would make Siri more personal and helpful, similar to how ChatGPT and Gemini currently adapt to and evolve with their unique users. Foundry Multiple tasks at once If you’re a Siri power user, you’re likely aware of how linear the assistant can be. You must feed it individual commands using simple words; bundling multiple requests into a single prompt will confuse its little brain. Siri will end up executing only one of the mentioned actions, a completely unrelated task, or nothing at all. If the rumors turn out to be accurate, iOS 27’s Siri could finally resolve that, adding support for multitasking. In this case, you’d be able to ask it to set an alarm, shuffle a playlist, and turn on the lights in one go. A dedicated app Given that the new Siri is expected to operate more like a chatbot, maintain previous chats, and introduce more advanced tools, its current ephemeral interface will no longer be sufficient. For this reason, iOS 27 may introduce a dedicated Siri app that users can access from the Home Screen. It would house conversation history, potential personalization options, and other features—similar to how existent chatbot apps work. Right now, any accidental tap could dismiss and permanently wipe a Siri conversation due to the popup’s fragile nature. That won’t be satisfactory when the dialogues get longer and more complex. Foundry Resourceful resort The standalone Siri app may not be the only design change coming with iOS 27. Apple will allegedly bake it right into the Dynamic Island, taking advantage of the extra space. This update would particularly make sense on the iPhone 18 Pro, which will reportedly fit more content in the Dynamic Island due to the smaller cutout. With this tweak, users will be able to see more of the background on-screen elements, as the Siri popup’s position will shift to the top. Foundry Third-party AI extensions With iOS 18.2, Apple included an optional ChatGPT extension to Siri, allowing users to upload images or send more complex queries to ChatGPT if it was more than Siri could handle. iOS 27 will likely expand the list of supported Siri extensions to include Gemini for those who prefer Google’s technology. Claude, Perplexity, and others could potentially follow, too. By supporting more AI models, those unhappy with Siri’s raw abilities will be able to utilize their (free or paid) third-party chatbot accounts across the system. App awareness Beyond the rumored upgrades, iOS 27 will add the Siri features Apple previewed two years ago but failed to deliver. These include a major expansion of the App Intents framework so Siri can perform functions inside third-party apps. It’s unclear how Apple’s implementation will compare to that of Google Gemini on Android, but it’s a welcome addition that will make Siri more useful. Siri will also gain the ability to analyze what is on your screen at the moment for context. Personal context The other feature Apple previewed with iOS 18 is Siri’s ability to pull personal data from installed apps. If it comes to fruition, you’ll be able to ask Siri when a certain personal will happen, for example, and it will scan your texts, emails, and other relevant data sources to find the correct answer. In a way, Siri will know everything about your digital life at all times.09:30 amIf you bought an iPhone last year, you may have a $95 check coming
Macworld Remember those Siri ads starring Bella Ramsey that promoted the iPhone 16 by showing off all the cool new Siri features Apple announced at WWDC in 2024? The Siri features that never shipped? Remember those? Well, someone filed a class action lawsuit about those very ads, and Apple has agreed to a $250 million settlement rather than taking it to court. As always, a bunch of that sum will go toward legal and administrative fees, but if you bought an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16, you could have as much as $95 coming your way. If you bought an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max or any iPhone 16 between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025, anywhere in the United States, you’re eligible to collect at least $25 and as much as $95, depending on how many people claim their portion of the settlement. Eligible users will be notified will need to provide proof that they’re part of the eligible group. That could be a receipt, serial number, Apple Account information, phone number, or other information, depending on exactly how and where you purchased your iPhone. The settlement received preliminary approval today, and noticed should be sent within the next 45 days. In a statement sent to media outlets, Apple said: Since the launch of Apple Intelligence, we have introduced dozens of features across many languages that are integrated across Apple’s platforms, relevant to what users do every day, and built with privacy protections at every step. These include Visual Intelligence, Live Translation, Writing Tools, Genmoji, Clean Up and many more. Apple has reached a settlement to resolve claims related to the availability of two additional features. We resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users.08:00 amDon’t drop $2k on a new MacBook Pro—this 5-star rated refurb is only $430 today
Macworld TL;DR: These MacBook Pros are only $430 until they sell out (MSRP $1,999). You don’t need a brand-new MacBook Pro—you just need one that works like new. But with current prices pushing close to $2,000, upgrading can feel out of reach. This refurbished MacBook Pro 2020 offers a smarter path, with strong specs, near-mint condition, and a track record of 5-star reviews. This 13-inch MacBook Pro comes with a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 quad-core processor that runs at 2.0GHz, so everyday work like browsing, video calls, and document editing feels smooth. It has 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, which is plenty of space for apps, photos, and big project files, and it helps the system stay responsive when you have a lot open at once. The 13.3-inch Retina display runs at 2560×1600 resolution with True Tone, so text looks sharp, and colors are vivid while the screen adjusts to the lighting in your room. Intel Iris Plus graphics handle streaming, light creative work, and general use without drama. The backlit Magic Keyboard is comfortable for long typing sessions, and the Touch Bar and Touch ID give you quick shortcuts and fingerprint login. You get four Thunderbolt 3 ports that handle charging, external displays, and fast storage through USB-C. Wireless connections use 802.11ac Wi Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 for modern routers and accessories. This grade “A” refurbished unit should arrive in near-mint condition, with only minor signs of use. It weighs about 3.1 pounds, comes with a charger, and includes a limited third-party warranty. Get a MacBook Pro while they’re on sale for $430. We have fewer than 50 left in stock. Apple Macbook Pro (2020) 13″ i5 2GHz Touchbar 16GB RAM 1TB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.04:31 amMac Studio loses its craziest memory option
The Mac Studio now tops out at just 96GB of memory, while higher-end Mac mini variants with 32GB or more RAM have also disappeared from sale. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:32 amIntel’s stock jumped 13% today over Apple chip manufacturing report
Intel’s stock hit a record high today in the aftermath of a Bloomberg report that claimed Apple is exploring Intel and Samsung Electronics as potential manufacturing partners for future device chips. Here are the details. more…Tuesday May 0511:00 pmApple Agrees To Pay iPhone Owners $250 Million For Not Delivering AI Siri
Apple has agreed to a proposed $250 million settlement over claims that it misled iPhone buyers about the availability of Apple Intelligence and its upgraded Siri features. The settlement would cover U.S. buyers of the iPhone 16 lineup and iPhone 15 Pro models between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. The Verge reports: The settlement will resolve a 2025 lawsuit, alleging Apple's advertisements created a "clear and reasonable consumer expectation" that Apple Intelligence features would be available with the launch of the iPhone 16. The lawsuit claimed Apple's products "offered a significantly limited or entirely absent version of Apple Intelligence, misleading consumers about its actual utility and performance." Apple brought certain AI-powered features to the iPhone 16 weeks after its release, and delayed the launch of its more personalized Siri, which is now expected to arrive later this year. Last April, the National Advertising Division recommended that Apple "discontinue or modify" its "available now" claim for Apple Intelligence. Apple also pulled an iPhone 16 ad showing actor Bella Ramsey using the AI-upgraded Siri. Read more of this story at Slashdot.10:43 pmApple pressed by Maryland lawmakers over closure of first unionized U.S. store
A group of two U.S. Senators and seven Members of Congress sent a letter to Tim Cook and John Ternus pressing Apple for answers over the planned closure of its Towson retail store. Here are the details. more…10:00 pmPrice cut: Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for just $10
Why pay list price for Microsoft software? This Windows 11 sale allows you to upgrade your PC to Windows 11 Pro for just $9.97. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)09:52 pmLawsuit over delayed Siri features reaches massive $250M settlement
While Apple's promised Siri overhaul is still nowhere to be found, shareholders who sued over the delay can now rest easy, thanks to a huge settlement.Apple has settled a class-action lawsuit over its delayed Siri features.At WWDC 2024, as part of its Apple Intelligence announcements, Apple previewed major enhancements for Siri. The virtual assistant was supposed to receive an AI-powered cognitive boost, allowing for advanced in-app actions, contextual awareness, and more.The company went so far as to feature Siri's new capabilities in its marketing materials, including video advertisements. Things went south in a matter of months, however. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums09:35 pm9to5Mac Daily: May 5, 2026 – iOS 26.5 RC, Apple chip partners
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by Bitwarden: Make your life easier with Bitwarden, featuring a secure, open source password manager with end-to-end encryption and seamless autofill across all your devices. more…09:22 pmThreads starts rolling out DMs on the web, but there are a few catches
Last July, Threads finally gave in and uncoupled its DMs from Instagram. Now, the platform is turning to another long-standing gap: bringing DMs to the web. Here are the details. more…09:01 pmApple Manufacturing Academy highlights AI adoption across U.S. industry
Apple and Michigan State University recently held the inaugural Spring Forum for the Apple Manufacturing Academy, focused on how AI is being implemented across multiple manufacturing workflows. Here are the details. more…09:01 pmSoftware as the Product of Obsession Times Voice
You might think it counterintuitive that a movement obsessed with software would be spearheading a severe decline in the design quality of software, but in Patel’s definition, there’s no concept of software as art, as a practice, as a craft. Software brain is purely an obsession with software as a medium in and of itself. A means with no consideration for the end.