Apple developed a firmware solution for the iPhone 18 Pro Max that temporarily reduces battery capacity below international 20Wh shipping limits, then automatically restores it to its full 21.75Wh (US) or 21.06Wh (EU) capacity upon first user activation. The device can be returned to limited capacity via a 'Prepare to Ship' feature for repairs or resale.
Apple is settling a $250 million class action lawsuit over delayed AI features for Siri, with eligible iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 owners able to claim $25–$95 per device until December 21st, 2026. The lawsuit alleged Apple created false expectations by previewing AI capabilities at WWDC 2024 that didn't launch with the iPhone 16, though Apple denies wrongdoing.
Apple's new M5 Ultra Mac Studio, priced at $12,299, delivers exceptional performance in benchmark tests with 30-63% improvements over the previous M3 Ultra model. Designed for AI developers and visual effects professionals, the high-end machine features a 36-core CPU, 80-core GPU, and excels in rendering and video export tasks.
iFixit's teardown reveals Apple's iPhone 18 Pro features a magnetically-controlled variable aperture lens with six hair-thin blades that improve light control, though the mechanism is effectively unrepairable and would require replacing the entire camera assembly if damaged. While praised as precision engineering, the feature delivers only marginal photographic improvements for most users.
The iPhone 18 Pro's camera features a variable aperture main lens for improved low-light and depth-of-field control, but software upgrades prove more useful for daily photography. The Vergecast explores these camera improvements alongside discussions of AI safety concerns and third-party evaluators in AI labs.
The Apple Watch Series 12 introduces internal hardware improvements including a faster S11 chip and redesigned sensor array that enable continuous heart rate monitoring and new AI health features, positioning it as a significant upgrade despite its unchanged external design. While many advanced AI-powered features won't launch until later this year, the Series 12 marks Apple's entry into a new era of AI-powered wearables that aim to synthesize health data and provide personalized insights.
Meta is reportedly developing camera-free smart glasses codenamed Luna to address privacy concerns surrounding its existing recording-enabled frames. The new glasses will feature six microphones for AI interaction instead of a camera and are expected to launch in October. Meta also plans to reveal AR glasses codenamed Phoenix set for 2027 release at next week's Connect event.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro features a variable aperture camera system ranging from f/1.48 to f/4, offering marginal improvements in image quality and manual exposure controls. Despite being $100 more expensive than its predecessor, the phone remains largely iterative and similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, with the foldable iPhone Duo being the more notable launch this year.
General Motors is updating the software interface in its 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks with a new design featuring picture-in-picture displays for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, larger screens, and simplified controls to reduce dangerous interactions while driving. The new interface emphasizes physical buttons for critical functions while using digital displays more intelligently, with features like swipe-down notifications and improved trailering information.
Apple Home's new AI-powered security camera features, included with iOS 27 and tvOS 27, require expensive iCloud subscriptions costing up to $60 per month for five cameras—a dramatic increase from the previous $1-per-month baseline. The features include AI video summaries, multi-camera clip stitching, and advanced search, but critics argue the pricing is excessive compared to competitors like Amazon Ring and Google Nest, which offer similar capabilities for around $20 monthly.