July 2025
iOS & Apple news
A reminder that the next versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS are all numbered v26 in reference to the year 2026. So, iOS 18 (i.e. for the current year, 2025) will be followed by iOS 26, expected sometime this fall.
iOS 26 Adds a Useful New Wi-Fi Feature to Your iPhone or iPad. This applies to Wifi networks you typically encounter at hotels, airports, gyms, and similar.
Here is an overview iOS 26 best and hidden features, according to Macrumors:
The new iPadOS 26 coming later this year adds a lot of Mac-like features. Here is an overview:
Apple is working on ChatGPT-Style AI Assistant for Customer Support, reports Macrumors. `Apple appears to be developing an AI-based "Support Assistant" for the Apple Support app. Signs of the feature were found in Apple code by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, but the Support Assistant doesn't appear to be live in the app as of yet.'`
Last month, right after WWDC, JoAnna Stern interviewed Craig Federighi and and released only a small portion of that interview. Here is the full version of the interview (24 mins). They talked about the future of AI, what happened to Siri, the new Liquid Glass redesign, iPads vs. Macs, tariffs and more:
Injured climber on Snowmass Mountain rescued by using Apple satellite texting on his iPhone, reports KDVR Denver News.
Apple claims San Jose engineer stole trade secrets, took them to rival, reports SiliconValley. The lawsuit, and Liu’s LinkedIn profile, indicate he now works as a product-design engineer at Santa Monica-based Snap, which owns social messaging app Snapchat, and sells a wearable product called “Spectacles.”
Apple is being sued by shareholders for allegedly overstating AI progress, Reuters reports. `June 20 (Reuters) - Apple was sued on Friday by shareholders in a proposed securities fraud class action that accused it of downplaying how long it needed to integrate advanced artificial intelligence into its Siri voice assistant, hurting iPhone sales and its stock price.'
Apple may fix its Siri failings by partnering with ChatGPT creator OpenAI or Claude creator Anthropic, according to Bloomberg's reporting.
Apple Music celebrates 10 years with the launch of a new global hub for artists designed to foster creativity and connection, announced Apple. `Apple unveils a brand-new state-of-the-art studio space in Los Angeles dedicated to artist-driven content, innovation in audio, and deeper fan connection. From radio to live performance, to fan engagement and content creation, this new studio will serve as a creative home for the next decade of music.'
As part of the 10-year anniversary, Apple Music debuted a new personalized playlist called Replay All Time which shows a comprehensive list of the top 100 songs across all subscriber years. It will dynamically update.
Just today, Apple announced chief operating officer transition: Jeff Williams will transition his role as chief operating officer later this month to Sabih Khan, Apple’s senior vice president of Operations, as part of a long-planned succession. Williams will continue reporting to Apple CEO Tim Cook and overseeing Apple’s world-class design team and Apple Watch alongside the company’s Health initiatives. Apple’s design team will then transition to reporting directly to Cook after Williams retires late in the year.
Apple Will Delay Bringing New Features to Users in the EU, as compliance with EU digital DMA laws continues to be a challenge.
Yesterday, July 7, 2025, Apple formally appealed €500 million DMA fine in the EU, reports 9to5mac. The statement made by Apple: `Today we filed our appeal because we believe the European Commission’s decision—and their unprecedented fine—go far beyond what the law requires. As our appeal will show, the EC is mandating how we run our store and forcing business terms which are confusing for developers and bad for users. We implemented this to avoid punitive daily fines and will share the facts with the Court.'
iOS apps
Apple unveiled winners and finalists of the 2025 Apple Design Awards.
AI
How Many Steaks Can One AI Video vs. AI Image Cook? Joanna Stern takes up the question. AI data centers could use up to 12% of all U.S. electricity by 2028. But how much power does it take to create one video and what really happens after you hit “enter” on that AI prompt? Joanna Stern visited “Data Center Valley” in Virginia to trace the journey and then grills up some steaks to show just how much energy it all takes.
ChatGPT continues to impress with its speed and relevance. Olga described using it to help with a dog-related emergency in the middle of the night. Chloe was having spasms and was unable to stand up, was disoriented and looked terrified. Olga called VSCOT Emergency to get some advice about whether to bring in Chloe immediately or whether this could wait an 30-60 minutes to assess, and to understand possible conditions. VSCOT was generally unhelpful over the phone but advised bringing Chloe in because they could diagnose and provide supportive care. Olga got off the phone with VSCOT and then asked ChatPGT, got a very useful list of possible conditions, and decided to take Chloe to VSCOT.
Ten minutes after VSCOT took Chloe in the back to be examined, a tech told Olga that their `systems have been down all night' and they could not treat Chloe, not even supportive care such as an IV. They suggested going to VEG but could not provide the exact address nor a brochure/card and did not call ahead to let VEG know to expect Chloe. Olga looked up VEG on Apple Maps and got directions on her iPhone. (The iPhone was in Dark mode, more on this later, see Tips & Tricks section below.)
Thankfully Chloe was quickly triaged at VEG and the ER vet concluded that it was most likely `elderly vestibular disease`, with a small possibility that it was a stroke. Chloe was given anti-nausea drugs and was sent home with instructions.
Olga used ChatGPT again to get more info on canine vestibular disease and got a more well-rounded overview than the printed instructions from the ER (even though the ER instructions were useful and appropriate).
Summary: This episode was an emergency in the middle of the night and was stressful for humans and dogs involved. The ER vet at VEG saved the day and treated Chloe as needed. Yet on 2 occasions during this event, ChatGPT provided better and/or more complete information: it was accurate, relevant, and quick. This info helped Olga decide what to do and how to manage Chloe's condition afterwards. However, it is important to remember that ChatGPT has a warning that it can make mistakes and these warnings are appropriate.
Olga also reported that she is using ChatGPT to draw and design a backyard landscape and demonstrated examples.
Microsoft Says Its New AI System Diagnosed Patients 4 Times More Accurately Than Human Doctors, reports WIRED. The tech giant poached several top Google researchers to help build a powerful AI tool that can diagnose patients and potentially cut health care costs. However, Microsoft’s findings should be treated with some caution because doctors in the study were asked not to use any additional tools to help with their diagnosis, which may not be a reflection of how they operate in real life, WIRED reports.
tips & tricks
Olga shared one more tip about emergencies. Ordinarily she has her iPhone going to Dark mode at night. However, she wanted to go to Light mode when she needed to see the Map directions in a hurry, to drive from one Emergency vet to the 2nd emergency vet. It was 3:45 am and she needed to avoid fiddling with Settings on her iPhone. That night, she ended up driving with Maps in dark mode. A few days after the emergency was over, she created a Focus mode called Emergency whose only purpose is to switch dark mode to light mode on her iPhone.
Recall that iOS on iPhone offers a very nice option to silence unknown callers. This means that unknown callers go to your voice mail and they can choose to leave a message. This works very well most of the time. You can set it and forget it. But what do you do if you have an emergency where you need to disable this option temporarily? This happened to Bernie and Olga recently when his car broke down and needed AAA assistance and expected a callback. Would you remember how to disable this option in a hurry? Would you feel inclined to wade through menus in Settings to look for it, while you are waiting by the side of the road and it's hot outside? Would it be in Settings > Cellular? (No, it is not.) You can find it in Settings > Apps > (scroll down to the "P" section which is not easy to scroll because the alphabet's font is tiny) and select Phone > (scroll down again) and select Silence Unknown Callers [Off].
Is there a better way to do this? Olga attempted to create an iOS Focus mode for such cases. It turns out, iOS 18 does not permit this option. You cannot access the setting `Silence unknown callers' in the controls provided by Focus modes. So Olga created 2 iOS Shortcuts and saved them on her iPhone's homescreen, creating 2 buttons tun turn on/off the option she wants.
and
Olga's recommendation is to consider what settings you might want to undo when you are in an urgent or emergency situation and prepare for it by setting up a combination of a Focus mode and iOS Shortcuts. (For example, do you want to allow downloads of apps from the App store with just a cellular connection? This came up because AAA suggested using their app to manage the roadside assistance.)
gadgets & accessories
The 10 Best Apple Deals Under $100 for Prime Day, by Macrumors.
Shane Whatley reviewed what he calls Europe’s Favorite Smart Lock, which is now available in the US. He gives it high marks. It's the Nuki Smart Lock. Shane offers Voucher Code: GT77YUBK for 15% off — valid through August 2, 2025.
watch
watchOS 26 Removes These Apple Watch Faces.
Apple Watch Series 10 Drops to $279.99 Record Low Price for Prime Day, down from $399.
[ RUMOR ] Apple Watch Ultra 3 Launching Later This Year With Two Key Upgrades, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
general news and crossover
Mark Zuckerberg Is Offering Top AI Talent tempting deals to poach them away. He is offering packages of up to $300 million over four years, with more than $100 million in total compensation for the first year, WIRED reports.
Here Is Everyone Mark Zuckerberg Has Hired So Far for Meta’s ‘Superintelligence’ Team, reports WIRED.
Zuckerberg also hired Ruoming Pang, who manages Apple's foundation models team. He is moving from Apple to Meta.
next iPUG
Our next iPUG meeting will be on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 7 pm AZ time.