Apple intelligence Archives - Tech | Business | Economy https://techeconomy.ng/tag/apple-intelligence/ Tech | Business | Economy Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:56:28 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.1 https://techeconomy.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cropped-techeconomy-logo-32x32.jpeg Apple intelligence Archives - Tech | Business | Economy https://techeconomy.ng/tag/apple-intelligence/ 32 32 Apple Opens iOS 27 Public Beta With Biggest Siri Upgrade Yet https://techeconomy.ng/apple-releases-ios-27-public-beta-biggest-siri-upgrade/ https://techeconomy.ng/apple-releases-ios-27-public-beta-biggest-siri-upgrade/#respond Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:43:15 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=185360 Apple has opened the iOS 27 public beta, bringing a redesigned Siri, smarter features and new tools ahead of the official release.

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Apple has released the public beta of iOS 27, giving millions of iPhone users early access to its redesigned Siri and a range of new features before the software’s full rollout later this year.

The beta is now available through Apple’s Beta Software Program for eligible iPhones, allowing users outside the developer community to test the company’s most significant Siri update to date.

Alongside iOS 27, Apple has also opened public beta testing for iPadOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, HomePod Software 27 and new AirPods firmware.

At the centre of the update is a rebuilt Siri that can understand follow-up questions, remember the context of previous conversations and complete more complex requests.

Users can ask Siri to find an old photo, locate information in emails or notes, edit a message, or perform several tasks in one request without repeating themselves.

Apple has also introduced a dedicated Siri app while keeping the assistant integrated across the operating system.

Users can still activate Siri with “Hey Siri” or the side button, but they can now continue conversations across Apple devices from the new app.

The assistant can also respond to information displayed on the screen. For example, it can summarise text messages, add appointments mentioned in conversations to the calendar and answer questions about what a user is viewing.

Apple said Siri now understands personal context better, making it easier to find information stored on a device.

“Siri AI can find relevant answers to what you’re looking for just by asking. Search for a photo from years ago, easily locate an email buried in your inbox, or pull up the details from a note you saved.”

The company has also expanded Siri’s ability to work with apps such as Messages, Music and Reminders, allowing users to carry out actions without switching between applications.

Beyond Siri, iOS 27 comes with improvements across several built-in apps. The Photos app adds new editing tools, including Spatial Reframing, an enhanced Clean Up feature and image expansion.

Safari now groups related tabs automatically and introduces a “Notify Me” feature that alerts users when monitored webpages change, such as after a price drop or product restock.

Messages and Mail also receive new writing tools, while the Passwords app can detect weak or compromised passwords and help users replace them more easily.

Calendar has gained the ability to create or edit events from simple written descriptions, and Dictation has been improved to recognise speech more accurately.

Apple is also extending Visual Intelligence to more devices. The feature lets users search, ask questions and perform actions based on objects seen through the camera or content displayed on the screen.

It can identify items, provide nutritional information, import cards into Apple Wallet and help users interact with screenshots on Mac and iPad.

Several communication features are included as well. Live Translation can translate messages, FaceTime captions and phone conversations, while Call Context surfaces relevant information from emails or other apps during calls.

Apple said privacy is highly important to the new experience. Most requests are processed directly on the device using Apple Intelligence, while more demanding tasks rely on Private Cloud Compute.

According to the company, personal data is not stored or made accessible during processing.

Some advanced features, however, require newer hardware. Apple Intelligence features are limited to supported devices, including the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models.

Although Apple has made the beta available to the public, users should expect unfinished software. Early versions may still contain bugs, affect battery life or cause compatibility issues with some apps.

Those who rely on their devices for work or other important tasks may prefer to wait for the stable release, which Apple expects to launch later this year.

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Apple Unveils “Siri AI” Upgrade with Cross-App Intelligence, Limited EU and China Rollout https://techeconomy.ng/apple-siri-ai-update-wwdc-2026-ios27-ai-assistant-rollout/ https://techeconomy.ng/apple-siri-ai-update-wwdc-2026-ios27-ai-assistant-rollout/#respond Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:30:07 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=183096 The rollout will be limited in key markets, including the European Union and China, at launch.

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Apple has finally updated its voice assistant at its Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino, calling it “Siri AI”. 

Following the long-awaited overhaul, the company says the system will bring deeper intelligence across its devices, but it will not launch everywhere at the same time.

The update focuses on a more conversational assistant that can understand context across apps and screens. It also allows users to interact with Siri in a more continuous way, including through a dedicated interface that stores recent interactions privately.

Apple says Siri AI can now search across Messages, Mail, Photos and Calendar to surface personal information when needed. It also reads what is on a device screen and responds based on that content. The assistant is also designed to work across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods and Vision Pro.

A camera-linked feature adds another layer, where users can point their device at objects and ask Siri to interpret them. Apple says this can include tasks such as analysing food items or helping split shared bills.

At the core of the system is what Apple calls “Apple Intelligence”, built on its own Foundation Models. The company says some tasks will run on-device, while more complex requests will use Private Cloud Compute.

Apple stated that “Privacy at Every Step,” is still very much central to the design, explaining that external support from Google’s Gemini model helps with some cloud-based functions. However, the company maintains that user data is not stored in a way that links back to individuals.

Despite the rollout, access will be restricted in key markets at launch. Users in the European Union will not receive Siri AI on iPhone or iPad when iOS 27 and related updates arrive later this year. China will also miss the initial rollout.

Apple links the European restriction to regulatory demands under the Digital Markets Act. The company argues that it cannot safely integrate the system under current conditions.

In its statement, it said regulators require “direct access to users’ private data – and the ability to directly control other installed applications – as soon as Siri AI is made available in the EU without the necessary safeguards to ensure user and data safety”.

The company also referenced its earlier proposal to regulators, describing a “Trusted System Agent” approach, which it says was not accepted. Apple maintains that the rejected model would have allowed safer integration with competing assistants.

Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, said EU users will not get Siri AI on iPhone or iPad with the new operating system releases this year. He confirmed the restriction during the announcement window.

The company also stated that “extreme interpretation of the DMA” influenced its decision to hold back the feature. It added that it sees “clear dangers to EU users” under the current framework.

Even so, Apple confirmed that EU users will still access Siri AI on Mac computers and Vision Pro headsets. Those platforms will run macOS 27 and visionOS 27 with the feature included.

In China, Apple says approvals are still in progress, and no timeline has been confirmed for a full rollout. The company has not announced Siri AI availability for mainland China at launch.

It added that Hong Kong may receive earlier access, depending on language support and regulatory clearance. English-language beta testing is expected to begin in select regions later.

Apple’s strategy places Siri AI at the centre of its software ecosystem. The assistant will be integrated across iOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27 and tvOS 27. The company is positioning this as a shift towards a more AI-led operating system design.

Developer access is already open through beta releases, with public testing expected around July 2026. A full release is expected later in the year, likely alongside the next iPhone cycle.

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Apple Settles $250m Lawsuit Over Siri AI Delay, Users to Receive Payouts https://techeconomy.ng/apple-siri-ai-delay-250m-settlement-payouts/ https://techeconomy.ng/apple-siri-ai-delay-250m-settlement-payouts/#respond Wed, 06 May 2026 07:42:49 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=181091 Apple will pay $250 million to settle a lawsuit over delayed Siri AI upgrades, with eligible iPhone users in the US expected to receive compensation per device.

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Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a shareholder lawsuit over artificial intelligence (AI) features delay for its voice assistant, Siri.

The case, which was filed in 2024 by investor Peter Landsheft in a federal court in California, followed announcements by Apple at its 2024 developer conference, where the company said a range of new AI tools would arrive with upcoming iPhones.

Those features did not appear when the devices launched later that year.

Shareholders argued the delay affected them, saying the company promoted features that were not ready. Apple later confirmed in 2025 that the upgraded Siri would not be available until 2026.

Under the proposed settlement, eligible iPhone users in the United States could receive between $25 and $95 per device, but the final amount will depend on how many claims are submitted.

The offer applies to devices that support Apple Intelligence, including the iPhone 16 range and the iPhone 15 Pro models, sold between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025.

Apple plans to open the claims process within 45 days of May 5, 2026. Customers will need to provide proof of purchase, along with their device serial number and Apple ID.

The company has not admitted wrongdoing. In a statement, it said, “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,”

Since introducing its AI drive, known as Apple Intelligence, in 2024, Apple says it has released several other tools. These include Live Translation, Writing Tools, Genmoji and a photo editing feature called Clean Up.

Attention now turns to Apple’s next developer event, Worldwide Developers Conference, where executives have confirmed the long-delayed Siri upgrade will be presented. The company is expected to outline how the assistant will handle more complex tasks and respond with better context.

Beyond software, there are also signs Apple may adjust its hardware plans. Reports say the base iPhone 18 could be pushed back, with more focus placed on higher-end models and new designs.

However, the settlement still needs court approval before payments can go ahead.

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Apple Tests Smarter Siri With Multi-Request Feature Ahead of iOS 27 Launch https://techeconomy.ng/apple-siri-multiple-requests-ios27-wwdc-2026/ https://techeconomy.ng/apple-siri-multiple-requests-ios27-wwdc-2026/#respond Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:28:02 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=178829 Apple is preparing a Siri upgrade that will allow users to make multiple requests in a single command

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Apple is testing a new Siri feature that lets users handle multiple requests in one go, as it works to bring the assistant closer to newer AI tools.

According to a report by Bloomberg, the upgrade will arrive with iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, expected later this year.

People familiar with the plans said the feature will allow Siri to process multi-step commands in a single query, instead of handling them one at a time.

Right now, Siri responds to one instruction per request. That has left it trailing competitors that can manage more complex tasks in a single interaction. With this change, a user could ask Siri to get directions and share them with a contact in one sentence.

Apple is also working on a comprehensive redesign of Siri. The company is said to be building a more advanced version of the assistant using technology linked to Alphabet Inc.’s Gemini model. Apple has not responded to requests for comment.

The upgrade is expected to feature at the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8, 2026, where Apple usually previews its next software updates.

Beyond handling multiple requests, Apple is testing a new Siri app with both voice and text input. Users may also be able to revisit past conversations, a feature already common with tools like ChatGPT.

There are also plans for an “Extensions” system that would allow third-party services to plug directly into Siri.

At the same time, Apple is looking at opening Siri to other AI providers. Reports say users could choose between different assistants, including those from Anthropic, alongside existing integrations.

This changes the tech giant’s approach. Apple’s earlier Apple Intelligence rollout in 2024 did not gain strong traction, and the company has been under pressure to close the gap with competing systems.

Internally, the project to overhaul Siri into a full chatbot is said to carry the codename “Campos”. The plan is to embed it across the iPhone, iPad and Mac, replacing the current interface with something more interactive and capable.

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Apple Unveils AirPods Max 2 with Stronger Noise Cancellation, New Smart Features https://techeconomy.ng/apple-airpods-max-2-h2-chip-noise-cancellation-live-translation/ https://techeconomy.ng/apple-airpods-max-2-h2-chip-noise-cancellation-live-translation/#respond Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:31:17 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=177893 Apple has introduced the AirPods Max 2, its new premium over-ear headphones featuring the H2 chip, stronger noise cancellation, lossless audio support and intelligent features

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Apple has launched the next generation of its premium headphones, the AirPods Max 2, bringing improved sound performance, stronger noise cancellation and several new intelligent features.

The company revealed the headphones on Monday, five years after the original AirPods Max first arrived in 2020.

AirPods Max 2 will open for pre-orders on March 25 and will reach customers early next month. The headphones carry a starting price of $549 and will be sold in midnight, starlight, orange, purple and blue.

Apple says the device is powered by its H2 chip, the same audio processor used in newer AirPods models. The company says this chip allows the headphones to deliver stronger active noise cancellation and better overall sound performance.

With the incredible performance of H2, AirPods Max are upgraded with up to 1.5x more effective ANC for the ultimate all-day listening experience,” said Eric Treski, Apple’s director of Audio Product Marketing. 

The sound quality is remarkably clean, rich, and acoustically detailed, and when combined with capabilities like Personalised Spatial Audio, AirPods Max 2 deliver a profoundly immersive experience.”

Apple says the new noise-cancelling system can block up to 1.5 times more background sound than the previous generation. That includes steady noise such as aircraft engines or train travel.

The headphones also introduce a new digital signal processing system designed to improve Transparency mode. This feature lets users hear the environment around them while still listening to audio.

Sound quality has also been upgraded and Apple says the headphones now use a high dynamic range amplifier to produce cleaner output, while maintaining the signature sound profile of the original model.

When connected with the supplied USB-C cable, AirPods Max 2 support 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio. Apple says this will help musicians and creators who work with professional tools such as Logic Pro.

The company is also adding a range of smart features designed to make the headphones easier to use in daily life.

Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts noise cancellation and transparency depending on the user’s surroundings. Conversation Awareness lowers audio volume when the wearer begins speaking to someone nearby.

Another addition is Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence, which allows people to communicate across languages during face-to-face conversations.

For calls, the headphones include Voice Isolation, which prioritises the user’s voice while reducing background noise.

Apple has also built tools aimed at creators. Users can record studio-quality audio through the built-in microphones, while a camera remote feature lets them take photos or start video recording by pressing the Digital Crown while using the Camera app on an iPhone or iPad.

The headphones also introduce Loud Sound Reduction, which helps limit exposure to high environmental noise without affecting the sound being played.

Apple says AirPods Max 2 are part of its wider environmental target under the Apple 2030 programme, which aims to make the company carbon neutral by the end of the decade.

According to the company, the headphones use recycled materials in several components. All magnets contain 100 percent recycled rare earth elements, while the ear cushions use fully recycled polyester. The packaging is made entirely from fibre-based materials designed for easier recycling.

AirPods Max 2 will be available in the United States and more than 30 other countries and regions when sales begin next month.

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Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Steps Down, Amar Subramanya Takes Over https://techeconomy.ng/apple-ai-leadership-change/ https://techeconomy.ng/apple-ai-leadership-change/#respond Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:13:19 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=172039 This comes as Siri and Apple AI face major challenges

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Apple has confirmed that John Giannandrea, the company’s AI chief since 2018, is stepping down but will remain with the company as an adviser until spring 2026. 

His departure comes at a challenging period for Apple Intelligence, the company’s flagship AI initiative, which has faced several issues since its October 2024 launch.

Giannandrea’s replacement is Amar Subramanya, a veteran of both Microsoft and Google, most recently leading engineering for Google’s Gemini Assistant. The hire shows Apple’s intent to get serious in AI, leveraging Subramanya’s insider knowledge of a long-standing competitor.

Apple Intelligence has struggled from the start. Early features, like its notification summary tool, produced incorrect headlines, drawing complaints from the BBC. 

Mistaken reports included a claim that Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself, a falsehood, and that darts player Luke Littler had won a championship before the final began. 

Siri’s promised overhaul has also faltered, delaying its launch indefinitely and leading to class-action lawsuits from iPhone 16 buyers who expected a new AI assistant.

A Bloomberg investigation in May revealed serious issues. When Craig Federighi, Apple’s software chief, tested the new Siri shortly before its planned launch, many touted features simply didn’t work. 

Leadership changes followed as Giannandrea was stripped of Siri oversight in March, which passed to Vision Pro creator Mike Rockwell, and Apple removed its robotics division from his control. 

Bloomberg described weak communication, budget mismatches, and staff mockingly calling his team “AI/MLess.” Some researchers left for OpenAI, Google, and Meta.

Apple is now reportedly leaning on Google’s Gemini to power the next Siri, a twist in the 15-year rivalry between the two tech giants across operating systems, app stores, browsers, and now AI.

Giannandrea arrived at Apple from Google, where he led Machine Intelligence and Search. At Apple, he oversaw AI strategy, machine learning infrastructure, and Siri development. 

Now, Subramanya will assume those responsibilities, reporting to Federighi, and focus on helping Apple catch up in the AI race.

Apple has long taken a different path, prioritising on-device AI processing with Apple Silicon chips for privacy reasons. Complex requests are handled via Private Cloud Compute, designed to temporarily process and then delete user data. 

This approach has some trade-offs: models are smaller and less capable than those in competitors’ data centres, and the lack of real-world user data may slow progress compared to rivals.

We are thankful for the role John played in building and advancing our AI work, helping Apple continue to innovate and enrich the lives of our users,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. 

AI has long been central to Apple’s strategy, and we are pleased to welcome Amar to Craig’s leadership team and to bring his extraordinary AI expertise to Apple. In addition to growing his leadership team and AI responsibilities with Amar’s joining, Craig has been instrumental in driving our AI efforts, including overseeing our work to bring a more personalized Siri to users next year.”

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Apple Nears $1 Billion-a-Year Deal with Google for Siri Overhaul https://techeconomy.ng/apple-google-gemini-siri-overhaul-deal/ https://techeconomy.ng/apple-google-gemini-siri-overhaul-deal/#respond Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:35:58 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=170658 A partnership between the tech giants as Apple works on its own advanced AI systems.

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Apple is reportedly closing in on a deal that would see it pay Google about $1 billion annually for a custom version of the Gemini model to completely rebuild Siri

The agreement, according to Bloomberg, would be one of Apple’s biggest collaborations with an external technology partner in years.

For now, Apple plans to rely on Google’s large-scale model, which has 1.2 trillion parameters, to strengthen Siri’s processing power and decision-making. 

That’s nearly eight times more advanced than Apple’s current 150 billion-parameter cloud model. The company sees the deal as a temporary measure while it works to bring its own artificial intelligence system up to par.

Apple tested several models, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude, before selecting Google’s Gemini earlier this year. Those close to the project said Apple concluded that Gemini offered the best blend of speed, reliability, and contextual understanding.

The revamped Siri, codenamed Linwood, is expected to launch next spring as part of iOS 26.4. The project, known internally as Glenwood, is being overseen by Mike Rockwell, the executive behind the Vision Pro headset, and software engineering chief Craig Federighi.

Under the terms being finalised, Google’s Gemini model will manage Siri’s “summariser” and “planner” functions, which help the assistant interpret user intent and coordinate complex actions. 

However, Apple’s own models will still handle several on-device tasks. To protect user data, Gemini will operate within Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers rather than Google’s infrastructure.

Neither company has commented publicly on the partnership. Unlike the Safari search deal, Apple is expected to keep Google’s role behind the scenes, branding Siri’s improvements under its own ecosystem rather than sharing credit.

The collaboration is a rare moment of pragmatism from Apple, which has long avoided outsourcing key software capabilities. But as competitors like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google grow quickly, Apple appears more willing to depend on outside systems, at least for now, to maintain competitiveness.

Despite leaning on Google, Apple has not abandoned its vision to build proprietary AI tools. The company’s in-house models team is reportedly developing a trillion-parameter cloud model, aiming to match Gemini’s quality by next year. Executives say they can phase out the Google technology in due course.

Globally, Apple is also preparing a version of the new Siri for the Chinese market, where Google services are banned. The Chinese variant is expected to run entirely on Apple’s own models with a compliance layer from Alibaba Group, tailored to meet local regulatory demands.

Shares of both companies briefly rose after reports of the talks surfaced, Apple gaining less than 1% to $271.70, and Alphabet rising as much as 3.2% to $286.42.

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Apple Releases iOS 26 Update for All Supported iPhones https://techeconomy.ng/apple-ios-26-update-available-supported-iphones/ https://techeconomy.ng/apple-ios-26-update-available-supported-iphones/#comments Tue, 16 Sep 2025 08:17:32 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=167241 Apple has officially rolled out iOS 26 to iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd gen) and newer models. The update introduces the Liquid Glass design, call screening, smarter apps, improved translation and new productivity tools.

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Apple has released iOS 26, an update now available to iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd gen) and newer devices. 

The software is one of the biggest overhauls to the iPhone experience in years, with a striking new “Liquid Glass” design, stronger communication tools, and updates across music, maps, gaming and productivity apps.

Unlike last year’s motivation on artificial intelligence, this version takes a different path: it leans on design, usability, and small but practical changes that directly affect daily use.

Why the Jump to iOS 26?

Apple skipped from iOS 18 to iOS 26, a decision tied to two goals. First, to bring all operating systems, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS, into alignment. Second, to reflect the calendar year most people will be using the software. The company wants a unified numbering system across platforms rather than staggered versions.

Liquid Glass: The Visual Overhaul

The most noticeable change is the Liquid Glass interface. Borrowed from the design language of Vision Pro, the new look uses translucent, layered elements that mimic glass. Buttons, menus and icons appear to float, responding subtly to device movement.

During beta testing, users complained about legibility. Apple responded by improving contrast and clarity, though it admits further tweaks may follow. Some users may need time to adapt, as the new layout alters the way apps and menus appear on screen.

Communication and Phone Tools

The Phone app has been redesigned with a cleaner card-style layout. Favourites, recent calls and voicemails are accessible in one view, though users can still switch back to the classic interface if preferred.

Spam calls are less intrusive under iOS 26. The new call-screening assistant asks unknown callers to state their name and purpose before the phone rings, giving the user a choice on whether to answer. The system also includes a hold assist that notifies users when an operator returns to the line.

Messages has caught up with apps like WhatsApp and Telegram by adding conversation backgrounds, polls, typing indicators in groups, and improved spam filtering. Messages from unknown numbers now go directly into a separate folder.

Apps and Productivity

Several Apple apps have received notable changes:

  • Games App: Play history, achievements, friend activity and Apple Arcade titles are grouped in one space, with personalised recommendations included.
  • Preview App: Arriving on iPhone for the first time, Preview enables easier editing, signing and annotation of PDFs.
  • Music: A new AutoMix feature blends songs seamlessly, lyrics can be translated in real time, and users can pin their favourite playlists.
  • Maps: Customised routes can now be saved, and the app alerts users if traffic or accidents disrupt their preferred paths. A “Places Library” collects recently visited spots.
  • Camera and Photos: The Camera app is simplified to highlight only Photo and Video by default, with other modes hidden but still accessible. The Photos app brings back its old tab structure after user complaints about the previous design.

Smarter Features and AI Integration

Apple has scaled back its AI drive compared with the fanfare of Apple Intelligence in 2024. iOS 26 focuses on smaller but functional uses:

  • In-app Translation: Built into Messages, FaceTime and Phone, supporting English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish.
  • AirPods Live Translation: Works with AirPods Pro 3, Pro 2, and AirPods 4.
  • Visual Intelligence: By pressing Power and Volume Down, users can analyse content on screen, create calendar events, or search context using “Highlight” — Apple’s version of Circle to Search.

Notably, this update creates a small annoyance: the shortcut for visual intelligence overlaps with the screenshot function, forcing users into extra steps to save captures.

Smaller Yet Useful Additions

  • Snooze times for alarms can now be customised between one and 15 minutes.
  • Wallet supports digital IDs linked to passports, with a redesigned boarding pass screen.
  • Voice recording offers voice isolation and source selection, helpful for podcasters.
  • Reminders can auto-generate grocery lists from online recipes.
  • The App Store now carries “Accessibility Nutrition Labels” to show which apps support VoiceOver, captions, and other features.
  • Parental controls block communication from unknown contacts and enforce age limits on third-party apps.

Device Support

The update is available for iPhone SE (2nd gen) and later models, including the iPhone 11 through iPhone 17 series and the new iPhone Air. Older devices such as the iPhone X and iPhone 8 are no longer supported, nudging users toward newer hardware.

iOS 26 is available for download globally from today via Settings > General > Software Update. Apple says some features — particularly translation and visual intelligence — may require additional downloads or be restricted by region.

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Apple Prepares Siri Overhaul to Control Apps Entirely by Voice https://techeconomy.ng/apple-prepares-siri-overhaul-to-control-apps-entirely-by-voice/ https://techeconomy.ng/apple-prepares-siri-overhaul-to-control-apps-entirely-by-voice/#respond Mon, 11 Aug 2025 13:22:37 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=164815 According to sources, the upgraded Siri will work with an improved App Intents framework, enabling developers to open parts of their apps to voice-based control.

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Apple is reportedly planning a major Siri upgrade that will allow users to operate third-party and native apps entirely through voice commands, carrying out multi-step actions without touching a screen.

According to sources, the upgraded Siri will work with an improved App Intents framework, enabling developers to open parts of their apps to voice-based control. This means a user could tell Siri to find a specific photo, edit it, and send it to a contact; add items to an online shopping cart; comment on a social media post; or log into a service – all without lifting a finger.

Early tests are underway with a wide range of apps, including Uber, AllTrails, Threads, Temu, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Apple’s own suite. Developers are being encouraged to adapt their apps now to take advantage of the expanded capabilities before public rollout.

Apple plans to roll out the new Siri in spring 2026, alongside iOS 26.4, the biggest overhaul since the assistant launched in 2011. The feature is part of its strategy to embed Siri more deeply into the company’s ecosystem, spanning iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, and Vision Pro. 

There are also plans to leverage processing power across devices to manage complex tasks.

However, not every app category will get full functionality from day one. Banking and healthcare, for example, may have limited integration at launch due to the risks of misinterpreted commands.

If the new system works as planned, it could finally deliver the hands-free, context-aware experience Apple promised more than a decade ago. It’s also a direct challenge to Google, Amazon, and OpenAI in the voice-driven app integration and generative capabilities space.

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At WWDC25, Apple Plays it Safe with AI, Rolls Out Limited Updates https://techeconomy.ng/at-wwdc25-apple-plays-it-safe-with-ai-rolls-out-limited-updates/ https://techeconomy.ng/at-wwdc25-apple-plays-it-safe-with-ai-rolls-out-limited-updates/#respond Tue, 10 Jun 2025 07:54:04 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=160753 There were no huge declarations or tools, just practical tweaks aimed at improving user experience

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At the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC25), Apple introduced a handful of AI features under the banner of “Apple Intelligence”, but kept everything at a moderate level. 

There were no huge declarations or tools at the WWDC25, just practical tweaks aimed at improving user experience.

From live call translation to on-device smart summaries, what Apple announced was measured and minimal. Siri didn’t get the overhaul many had expected after last year’s promises. 

Instead, Apple focused on more secure system integration and privacy-led enhancements, nothing that screamed innovation.

Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, confirmed developers would now be able to access the on-device large language model embedded in Apple Intelligence. 

We’re opening up access for any app to tap directly into the on-device, large language model at the core of Apple,” he said. That’s important for privacy, but not necessarily performance.

The on-device model itself is limited. It runs on about 3 billion parameters, small when compared to the power of cloud-based systems used by Microsoft or Google. It can’t process large, complex tasks, which means it is limited in areas where true generative AI is beginning to thrive.

Still, Apple’s strategy is to stay local, stay secure and features like call screening, where iPhones can pick up unknown calls, ask why the person is calling, and then transcribe the response before the phone even rings, are clever. 

So is the live call translation that doesn’t require the other caller to own an iPhone. It’s thoughtful tech, but hardly disruptive.

The redesigned operating systems, featuring what Apple calls a “liquid glass” aesthetic, are another example. It looks sleek, but it’s not revolutionary. It’s enabled by improved Apple silicon, and now all OS platforms, from iPhone to Mac, will adopt a consistent naming convention. The move to names instead of numbers is a way to streamline branding.

Image Playground, which now allows users to generate pictures using ChatGPT, was also showcased. Apple says user data won’t be shared with OpenAI unless the user consents. This cautious collaboration highlights how Apple is trying to balance innovation with its longstanding privacy-first ethos.

What’s missing from all of this is clarity on vision. A year ago, Apple spoke of intelligent agents and a new era of AI. That talk has all but disappeared. Analysts are taking note.

In a moment in which the market questions Apple’s ability to take any sort of lead in the AI space, the announced features felt incremental at best,” said Thomas Monteiro, senior analyst at Investing.com. “It just seems that the clock is ticking faster every day for Apple.”

That ticking clock got louder as OpenAI, during Apple’s WWDC25 event, announced it had hit $10 billion in annualised revenue. One company accelerating into the AI future, the other inching forward.

Even within the developer community, there are questions. Apple’s Foundation Models Framework allows developers to plug into Apple Intelligence, but only the on-device version. The high-powered, cloud-backed models that could have taken these tools to the next level are staying behind closed doors.

Ben Bajarin, CEO of Creative Strategies, said: “You could see Apple’s priority is what they’re doing on the back-end, instead of what they’re doing at the front-end, which most people don’t really care about yet.”

Investors, it seems, agreed. Apple shares fell 1.2% by the end of the day, hardly a collapse, but a sign that the market wasn’t impressed.

If Apple is laying the foundation for bigger things, it’s doing so without noise. This is a deliberate approach we hope will pay off, not leave the company behind competitors.

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