December 2025
iOS & Apple news
Apple introduces Digital ID, a new way to create and present an ID in Apple Wallet. `Digital ID offers a secure and private way for users to create an ID in Apple Wallet using information from their U.S. passport, and present their ID with iPhone or Apple Watch.'
(cont'd) `At launch, Digital ID acceptance will roll out first in beta at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports in the U.S. for in-person identity verification during domestic travel, with additional Digital ID acceptance use cases to come in the future.' [ . . . ] `The launch follows the capability for users to add an eligible driver’s license and state ID to Apple Wallet. If users do not have a U.S. passport to create their Digital ID, they can still add an eligible driver’s license to Apple Wallet.'
As a reminder, you can add your driver's license to Apple Wallet.
Apple's iPhone 17 sales are at record high. The iPhone 17 lineup is selling so well that Apple is on track to ship more than 247.4 million total iPhones in 2025, according to the IDC. `In China, Apple's largest market, massive demand for iPhone 17 has significantly accelerated Apple's performance. It ranked first in October and November per IDC's China Monthly Sales data with more than 20% share, miles ahead of the competition, leading IDC to revise Apple's Q4 forecast in China from 9% to 17% YoY. This turns a previously projected 1% decline in China for 2025 into a positive 3% growth, that's a phenomenal turnaround. '
Apple released a 2-minute film that was shot on iPhone, titled A Critter Carol | Shot on iPhone 17 Pro. `In this handcrafted film, a ragtag group of woodland critters discover a lost iPhone 17 Pro and use it to film themselves singing a song of friendship as a gift, before returning it to its rightful owner.' Take a look:
And for anyone who wants to see the behind-the-scenes view, Apple released Apple Holiday | The Making of The Apple Holiday Film | Shot on iPhone 17 Pro. `Puppeteers dressed like blueberries. Individually placed whiskers. An entire forest built 3 feet off the ground. And so much more. Take a look behind the scenes of our new holiday film to see how we handcrafted a cast of woodland puppets 🦝 🐿️🐰🐀🐻🐺🦉🦌 and brought them to life on iPhone 17 Pro.` Here it is:
Apple Health Integration Seemingly Coming to ChatGPT, reports Macrumors.
On Nov 11, Apple announced that it teamed up Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE to launch iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted limited edition accessory designed to carry an iPhone, AirPods, and other everyday items: here is iPhone Pocket.
By Nov 25, apple sold out worldwide. No more iPhone Pockets are currently available.
Apple Encourages iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26, by making the iOS 2 software upgrade option more prominent, reports Macrumors.
When will Apple release iOS 26.2? Likely sometime in December, estimates Macrumors. Take a look at expected features.
Apple Music Complete Guide, by Macrumors. A nice, short overview.
Recall that recently, Apple released a web-based interface of Apple Music at music.apple.com
Apple just released its 2025 Apple Music year-end charts, highlighting new global listening trends, expanded analytics, and several unexpected chart-topping performances across streaming, radio, lyrics, and Shazam activity, reports MacRumors
Likewise, Apple Music subscribers get to see `Replay 2025' which gives you a full year-end playlist containing the Apple Music songs that you listened to the most over the past year, as well as a Highlight Reel with images and a video that are designed to be shared on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.` Also, This year, Apple says it has highlighted even more listening habits including, Discovery: New artists who captured your ears over the past year, Loyalty: Artists you've kept coming back to, year after year, Comebacks: Artists who made a return to your rotation.
Apple announced John Giannandrea to retire from Apple. `Apple today announced John Giannandrea, Apple’s senior vice president for Machine Learning and AI Strategy, is stepping down from his position and will serve as an advisor to the company before retiring in the spring of 2026. Apple also announced that renowned AI researcher Amar Subramanya has joined Apple as vice president of AI, reporting to Craig Federighi. Subramanya will be leading critical areas, including Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and AI Safety and Evaluation. The balance of Giannandrea’s organization will shift to Sabih Khan and Eddy Cue to align closer with similar organizations.'
John Giannandrea Is Out, reports John Gruber. `After the fiasco around Apple Intelligence and the “more personalized Siri” features — which were announced at WWDC in June 2024, but postponed until 2026 in a tail-between-their-legs announcement in March 2025 — and the executive reshuffling immediately after that delay was announced that put Mike Rockwell in charge of Siri and moved all or most of Apple Intelligence and Siri under Craig Federighi, it would have been much more surprising if Giannandrea had stayed at Apple. In fact, I’m surprised he wasn’t out before WWDC this past June. I don’t think we need to wait for additional details to know that he was squeezed out.'
Giannandrea leaving Apple following AI strategy miss, reports 9to5Mac.
iOS apps
Apple has just announced App Finalists for 2025. This is an excellent source of apps that are worth considering.
podcasts
Apple has just unveiled the most popular shows and trends of 2025.
iOS 26
If you feel like watching detailed demonstrations of new features introduced with iOS 26, take a look at this video by 9to5Mac. They have put together an long list of new features, some of which you have probably missed. It's over an hour long, but it is very well chapterized so you can watch in small increments or skip around as you prefer:
Apple Notes has been gradually getting more and more very useful features. There are many that you might not know about. Here are 10 top features that are worth using: Recent Notes quick access, Create a searchable PDF archive, Linking, Scan written documents, Collapsible Headings, Collaborate on folders, Reminders, Smart Folders, Monostyled Text, Markup a PDF, and iOS 26 recent changes. The video below demonstrates these and is chapterized:
With iOS 26, Shortcuts is much ore capable. The video below demonstrates some of the very clever things you can do with Shortcuts. It is chapterized and worth watching.
tips & tricks
With iOS 26, Adding Calendar events is now as easy as taking a screenshot, reports 9to5Mac.
gift ideas & gadgets
Paperlike offers accessories for iPad, including its well known screen protector that offers a more paper-like experience without reducing screen visibility or brightness. This is especially appealing to those who want to do a lot of handwriting or note-taking on iPad or those who like to draw, sketch, etc., and prefer the feel of a paper.
This MagSafe Wireless Charger is a 15W Magnetic Wall Mount Charger which is compact and can be very useful in the kitchen counter, for example, or anywhere you want to keep free of cable clutter and refer to your iPhone while you work on something.
HAPPYBAG LED is a Lying Flat Duck Night Light, with a 3-Level Dimmable Nursery Nightlight. It's made of silicone and it's squishy. What does this have to do with an iPhone or iPad? Not much, but it is whimsical and also rechargeable with a USB port and you probably have one of those cables lying around from all your past and current iPhones. ;-) But wait, there is more! You can also use it as an iPhone stand.
next iPUG
Our next iPUG meeting is on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Thank you to all for another wonderful year of iPUG, sharing the news and technology from Apple, and all the ingenuity and creativity that makes it possible. Happy Holidays to all and see you in the new year!