iOS 26 - Apple Admitted It!

Brief Summary

This video covers the latest Apple news, including new iOS 26 features, potential changes to Siri, Apple's vision roadmap, a cheaper MacBook, iPhone 17 design changes, and a story about how AirTags helped recover stolen equipment. Key points include:

• New iOS 26 features such as lock screen customization, concert identification in photos, and FaceTime nudity detection.
• Apple may partner with OpenAI or Anthropic to enhance Siri's capabilities.
• Apple's vision roadmap includes new Vision Pro models, smart glasses, and XR glasses.
• A cheaper MacBook powered by an iPhone processor is in development.
• The Apple logo on the iPhone 17 may be moved to accommodate a full-width camera bar.

On the menu today

The video introduces the topics to be discussed, including new iOS 26 features, the possibility of Apple replacing Siri, Apple's secret vision roadmap, details about the iPhone 17, and a story about AirTags. The host also promotes the Apple Den Discord server for further discussion.

New software this week

This week saw the release of iOS 18.6 beta 2, a minor update with bug fixes and security patches. For users in the EU, this update includes a new user experience for installing alternative app marketplaces and an API for developers to initiate downloads of alternatively distributed apps from within their apps. Apple Intelligence support for China has been delayed and will not be included in this update.

More new iOS 26 features

iOS 26 beta 1 allows users to move widgets to the bottom of the lock screen, even with the clock at its default size. When charging an iPhone on a wireless charging pad, the lock screen now indicates "slow charging" instead of estimating the time until fully charged. The Photos app now identifies concerts attended, displaying the artist, date, time, venue, and a playlist of the tour set. Additionally, the "add to album" suggestion in the share sheet now persists indefinitely for recently added photos.

If you undress on FaceTime (nsfw)

A new feature in iOS 26 pauses FaceTime calls if it detects sensitive content. If the system detects potentially inappropriate or sensitive content, it pauses the audio and video, displaying an alert that the contact may be showing something sensitive and provides options to end the call or resume audio and video.

Falling asleep with AirPods

AirPods can now detect when a user falls asleep and automatically pause audio playback. This feature works with both AirPods and Beats headphones and is enabled by default after updating to the latest iOS 26 beta version. It is unclear how Apple detects sleep, but it is believed that an Apple Watch is not required for this feature to function.

Apple Watch battery

Watch OS 26 includes a new feature that alerts users if their Apple Watch battery is draining faster than normal, providing an indication when the battery is at 50% to inform users of potential excessive battery drain.

Is this the end of Siri?

Apple is considering using OpenAI or Anthropic to power a revamped Siri, potentially ditching its in-house models. Apple has requested custom versions of Claude and ChatGPT to run on its private cloud compute servers to maintain privacy while outsourcing AI brainpower. Anthropic is currently the frontrunner, with discussions of a multi-billion dollar per year deal. The LLM Siri is still expected in 2027, with updates to Siri in iOS 26.4 expected early next year.

Apple admits defeat (for now)

This shift has caused internal tensions within Apple, as the AI team fears abandonment of in-house efforts, leading to key engineers leaving, including top LLM researcher Tom Gunter. Apple is admitting that its in-house models are not yet ready and is looking to acquire other services to power Siri.

Is Apple giving up?

Apple is not giving up on its in-house AI models but views partnering with other companies as a stopgap solution to bring a smarter Siri to the market by 2027. This partnership will allow Apple to provide something to show for it while their own models are still in development.

But isn’t there a privacy concern?

Data will go through Apple's Private Cloud Compute (PCC) servers before reaching OpenAI and Anthropic, ensuring privacy. This process is similar to the current ChatGPT extension on iPhones. The partnership is seen as a positive move, providing users with a smarter Siri in the near future.

New Apple Music playlists

Apple Music celebrated its 10th anniversary with new playlists, including "Replay All Time," which shows users their all-time most played songs. Additionally, Apple Music 10 Years is broadcasting a countdown of the all-time top songs.

F1: The Movie is a huge hit

Apple's new F1 film was a massive hit, recording a $144 million opening weekend. The film is enjoyable for both F1 enthusiasts and those unfamiliar with the sport. The shots from the races were filmed using custom cameras built by Apple, utilizing iPhone sensors.

iOS 26 Beta 2 Performance

Performance on iOS 26 beta 2 is not great, with frame rate issues, keyboard lag, and overheating. A Geekbench test scored 3523 on single core and 8861 on multi-core, showing slight improvement compared to the previous run, but raw performance is still poor.

iOS 26 Beta 2 Battery Life

Battery life on iOS 26 beta 2 is slightly better than beta 1 but still poor across multiple devices, including iPhones, Apple Watches, and iPads. Users are experiencing significant battery drain, requiring frequent charging.

iOS 26 Beta 3 & Public Beta Release Date

iOS 26 developer beta 3 is expected to be released the week of July 7th, likely on Monday, July 7th, around 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. The public beta is expected to follow the week after developer beta 3, potentially on July 14th.

Apple’s secret ‘Vision’ roadmap (this is exciting)

Apple is working on seven AR/VR products from 2025 to 2029. In 2025, a refreshed Vision Pro with the M5 chip is planned, with 150,000 to 200,000 units expected to ship. In 2027, Apple plans to debut smart glasses similar to Meta Ray-Bans, featuring audio playback, photo and video capabilities, gesture controls, and AI-powered environmental awareness. Also in 2027, the first Vision Air is expected, featuring a new form factor, being 40% lighter, using an iPhone chip, and being cheaper. In 2028, the second-generation Vision Pro will come out with a new design, lighter build, cheaper price, and a Mac-grade processor. Also in 2028, Apple is expected to launch its first pair of XR glasses with a color liquid crystal on silicon display and waveguide optics, including voice and gesture controls and relying heavily on AI features. In 2029, an upgraded version of the XR glasses is expected. Apple has paused work on a display accessory that tethers to iPhones and Macs due to a lack of competitive edge.

A cheaper MacBook is coming soon

Apple is working on a cheaper MacBook powered by an iPhone processor, expected to enter mass production in late Q4 of this year or early next year. It will feature an approximately 13-inch display and be powered by the A18 processor. This cheaper MacBook could come in silver, blue, pink, and yellow. Apple aims to return total MacBook shipments to the 2019 peak of around 25 million units in 2026, with this more affordable MacBook projected to account for 5 to 7 million units.

New iPhone 17 design changes

Apple is planning to move the Apple logo on the iPhone 17 down on the frame due to a new full-width camera bar spanning the entire width of the back of the device. The iPhone 17 Pro will have a new MagSafe design internally, and case manufacturers have begun printing new MagSafe rings with central openings to emphasize the shifted logo.

Crazy AirTag story

A man in Missouri rented out his equipment, including a Bobcat MT100, on Facebook. After renting the equipment, the man hid an AirTag inside the Bobcat and received an alert that it had been disconnected. The AirTag pinged its last location on a U-Haul truck heading north on I-55 near Lichfield, Illinois. The Missouri police coordinated with the Illinois State Police, who pulled over the U-Haul truck and arrested both men. The thieves admitted to the plan and were each charged with one count of stealing $25,000 or more. The Bobcat and other attachments were safely recovered.