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What’s New in the iOS 26 Developer Beta 2 Release?
The release of the second developer beta for iOS 26 has brought several updates and enhancements, including an exciting new ringtone alongside various visual tweaks. This update, available two weeks after the first developer beta, raises the build number to 23A5276f from the previous 23A5260u.
Unlike its predecessor, iOS 18, which centered around Apple Intelligence features, iOS 26 introduces a new design philosophy termed “Liquid Glass.” This design showcases dynamic interface elements that resemble real glass, moving away from the flat design that dominated iOS 7 through iOS 18. Key highlights of the update include a new dedicated Games app, enhancements to Image Playground and Shortcuts, as well as improvements to the Messages and Phone apps.
Additionally, the Framework for Foundation Models has been introduced, enabling developers to integrate Apple Intelligence tools into third-party applications. Visual changes in iOS 26 beta 2 include a revamped Control Center, featuring a darker aesthetic and enhanced blur effects.
The alert system has also been upgraded, with messages from unknown senders now tagged with a blue badge instead of the traditional red. The Safari browser sees minor design tweaks aimed at improving user experience, while the return of original stock wallpapers adds a nostalgic touch.
A highlight of this beta is the addition of a new variant of Apple’s “Reflection” ringtone, labeled “Alt 1.” While this update does not introduce major functional changes, it aligns with new customization features, allowing users more freedom with ringtones.
The beta also enhances bug fixes and introduces significant features like the Recovery Assistant, which improves the Recovery Mode experience by offering on-screen diagnostics and restoration options, reducing reliance on external devices like PCs or Macs. Overall, iOS 26 beta 2 is moderate in its changes, though further updates are expected in future releases.
iPhone 17 Expected to Be Available in New Green and Purple Color Options
A prominent leaker with an unreliable history suggests that Apple may introduce the iPhone 17 in two new colors. On Friday, the leaker, Majin Bu, revealed that Apple is currently evaluating color options for the base model of the iPhone 17. The proposed colors for this upcoming model appear to be pastel green and purple.
Images shared by Bu indicate that the purple shade is reminiscent of the color introduced with the iPhone 11 lineup. In contrast, the green color seems more vibrant than the lighter shade seen in the iPhone 15, leaning towards yellow rather than the mint hue associated with the iPhone 12. In a blog post accompanying the announcement, Bu mentioned that while both colors are under consideration, only one might be selected for the final release, with purple currently leading as the favorite.
Additionally, the post outlines several expected features for the iPhone 17’s base model, including a 120Hz display, an aluminum construction, enhanced camera capabilities, and the new A18 Bionic chip. The design depicted in the leaked images aligns with previously seen molds and dummy models, showcasing a vertically positioned dual-camera setup similar to the iPhone 16 layout. However, it’s essential to approach this information with caution.
Majin Bu’s track record has been inconsistent, often falling on the less credible side of the spectrum. While Bu manages to accurately predict certain details, many of their past claims have proven incorrect, including a prediction about the iPhone 15 “Ultra,” which was rumored to feature two front-facing cameras.
Apple’s A19: Powerful Performance with a Focus on Energy Efficiency
The upcoming A19 chip for the iPhone may rival Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 in speed, yet Apple seems to prioritize battery life over raw performance. The chipset is a critical element of smartphone functionality, influencing how efficiently a device operates.
While the tech industry often pushes for faster processors, Apple is more focused on how these advancements impact battery consumption. Leak information from a source, known as “Fixed Focus Digital,” suggests that the A19 chip could match the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, a powerful chip that has not yet been released.
The leaker claims that the A19 will likely exhibit a higher level of Instructions Per Cycle (IPC) and greater efficiency. However, it’s noted that the performance differences between the two may be minimal.
While enthusiasts may view similar performance levels positively, the actual user experience could vary significantly. The focus for Apple remains on a balance known as PPA (Power, Performance, Area), which guides its design philosophy toward energy efficiency.
Although the credibility of Fixed Focus Digital is mixed at best, there is potential for these claims to hold some truth. The tech scene often assesses chips based on benchmark results alone, but this narrow perspective overlooks other crucial factors.
A top-performing chip is useless if it drains the battery too quickly, leaving users without power before the day is over. Furthermore, performance testing typically does not factor in advanced features like computational photography and AI capabilities.
Rumors surrounding the iPhone 17 generation also reinforce Apple’s commitment to energy efficiency. Speculation indicates that the iPhone 17 Air might feature a compact battery, leading to a potential decrease in overall battery life.
To address this issue, Apple may introduce new silicon battery technology, along with a possible return of the battery case accessory for added convenience.
iPhone 17 May Introduce Innovative Heat-Dissipation Technologies for Enhanced Performance
A recent leak suggests that the upcoming iPhone 17 could feature a new vapor chamber cooling system. If accurate, this would mark the first implementation of such technology in the iPhone series. Currently, iPhones utilize a passive cooling method, relying on the metal and glass of their bodies.
However, during demanding tasks, users often receive warnings indicating that the device needs to cool down, temporarily hindering its use. The report from Majin Bu, who has a mixed reputation for reliability, indicates that the vapor chamber cooling mechanism will be introduced with the iPhone 17, anticipated for release this fall. Although the report cites an “internal source,” it acknowledges that the design is “still evolving,” which implies that there may be challenges to resolve.
Vapor chambers have become common in many Android devices because they effectively dissipate heat during heavy usage, such as gaming. The cooling process involves the transfer of heat from the device to a liquid within the chamber. This liquid then evaporates and travels across a plate in the device, eventually cooling back into liquid form.
This mechanism allows for more efficient heat management. Discussions about enhancing iPhone cooling systems have surfaced for some time. Earlier reports hinted at Apple’s intentions to adopt an active cooling method for the iPhone lineup, with TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo initially bringing attention to the notion in August 2024.
Kuo speculated that vapor chamber cooling might be reserved for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models only. Additionally, Bu claims there may be new pastel color options for the iPhone 17 lineup. The push for improved cooling solutions stems from the increasing capabilities and computational demands of Apple’s technologies.
Bu also notes that a heat-spreading metal plate will be included to further assist with temperature management. Moreover, Apple is rumored to transition to lighter chassis materials such as aluminum, which are better at dissipating heat compared to past methods, including thermal paste and graphite sheets.
Apple Devices in Europe to Feature Repair Scores and Battery Life Labels for Better Consumer Awareness
Starting June 20, 2025, Apple buyers in Europe will notice significant changes with the introduction of repair scores, battery ratings, and energy labels for every new iPhone and iPad. The European Union’s new regulation will require all smartphones and tablets to meet rigorous sustainability standards while displaying detailed energy labels at retail points. These labels will provide important scores on battery life, durability, and repairability, aiming to enhance consumer awareness and encourage informed purchasing decisions. This regulation is part of the EU’s Green Deal, which aims to reduce waste, prolong product lifespans, and promote sustainable practices.
Many requirements align with Apple’s current practices; for instance, most iPhones receive software updates for more than five years, and the company offers official repair services and a self-service repair program. However, the regulation introduces new testing requirements for battery performance, stipulating that batteries must maintain at least 80% of their original capacity after 800 full charging cycles. Additionally, the regulation mandates that manufacturers provide key spare parts for seven years after the last unit of a model is sold in the EU, extending beyond Apple’s usual five to seven-year support window. The new energy labels will feature standardized metrics, including energy efficiency class, battery life per charge, battery longevity in charge cycles, repairability scores, drop resistance ratings, and ingress protection scores against dust and water.
A QR code on each label will allow consumers to access the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling, facilitating comparisons between models. Financially, the EU anticipates significant benefits from these regulations, estimating a reduction in primary energy use by 8.1 terawatt-hours annually by 2030, leading to potential cost savings of 20 billion euros for European households. For Apple, these regulations may require a reevaluation of their sustainability initiatives, expanding their focus on spare parts availability, OS update timelines, and design elements that affect repairability.
Adobe’s New Experimental App Seeks to Enhance Mobile Photography Experience
Adobe has launched a new initiative aimed at enhancing smartphone photography, particularly through the development of a new app called Project Indigo. This project, spearheaded by Adobe Fellow Marc Levoy and Senior Scientist Florian Kainz, seeks to provide smartphone photos with a more natural, SLR-like aesthetic while prioritizing high image quality.
In their recent research paper, Levoy and Kainz elaborate on the methodologies employed in the Project Indigo app. One of the key strategies involves stronger under-exposure compared to conventional camera apps.
The app captures, aligns, and aggregates as many as 32 frames when producing a single photo. This technique results in images with fewer blown-out highlights and reduced shadow noise.
While this means that users may need to exercise a bit more patience when taking photos, the eventual payoff is a higher quality image. Project Indigo also addresses common issues encountered with smartphone cameras, such as over-smoothing and the limitations of global tone mapping.
Traditional smartphone photography often results in underexposed areas due to adjustments made for the brightest point in the image. The Indigo app preserves more natural textures and enhances the overall picture quality, making post-processing easier, especially when not using RAW format.
Additionally, Project Indigo tackles the shortcomings of digital zooming by employing a multi-frame super-resolution technique. This involves capturing multiple images at varying resolutions, which are then combined to create a single photo with enhanced detail.
The app also provides users with extensive control over camera settings like focus and shutter speed, tailored specifically for mobile photography. Looking forward, the developers envision a feature where photographers could preview real-time adjustments in the viewfinder, enhancing the shooting experience.
Project Indigo is positioned as a precursor to future technologies that could be integrated into Adobe’s flagship products, such as Lightroom. The app is currently available for free in the App Store.
14-Inch MacBook Pro with 1TB Storage Priced at $1,599 Just Before Prime Day
Apple’s latest MacBook Pro is currently available at a significant discount, with a $200 savings when you upgrade to the 1TB storage model. This offer comes as retailers such as Amazon and B&H Photo engage in competitive pricing ahead of the early Prime Day sales event. The price for the sleek Space Black 14-inch MacBook Pro is now set at $1,599, reflecting this instant rebate from the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. Upgrading to 1TB of storage doubles the capacity of the standard model, which is priced at $1,469.
Both configurations are powered by Apple’s M4 chip featuring a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, along with 16GB of unified memory, making them solid choices for performance-oriented users. In addition to the 1TB model, there are several other deals on different configurations of the MacBook Pro as retailers prepare for month-end sales. For example, the 14-inch M4 Pro model is available for $1,749, offering a compelling option for those looking for enhanced specifications. Here are some of the latest highlights from the current MacBook Pro sales:
– 14″ MacBook Pro M4 with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD: $1,468.50 (Save $130)
– 14″ MacBook Pro M4 with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD: $1,599 (Save $200)
– 14″ MacBook Pro M4 Pro (12C CPU and 16C GPU) with 24GB RAM and 512GB SSD: $1,749 (Save $250)
– 16″ MacBook Pro M4 Pro (14C CPU and 20C GPU) with 24GB RAM and 1TB SSD: $2,399 (Save $300)
These offers provide a variety of options for consumers looking to invest in a new MacBook Pro.
Apple Faces Lawsuit for Delays in Launching AI-Enhanced Siri Features
Apple is facing a class action lawsuit from shareholders who allege that delays in the rollout of its artificial intelligence initiatives have cost them nearly a trillion dollars in losses. The legal action comes after the company experienced multiple setbacks and miscalculations related to the launch of Apple Intelligence, including the expected upgrade of Siri.
On Friday, the shareholders accused the Cupertino-based tech giant of misleading them about the timeline for introducing new AI features. They contend that due to the delays, their investments suffered substantial losses estimated to be in the hundreds of billions over the year leading up to June 9.
Since reaching a record high on December 26, 2024, Apple shares have declined nearly 25%, leading to a staggering loss of approximately $900 billion in market value. Leading the lawsuit is shareholder Eric Tucker, who claims that Apple led investors to believe that Apple Intelligence would significantly boost sales of the iPhone 16.
However, following the WWDC 2025 keynote, it became apparent that the company had grossly underestimated the time required to launch features that had been promised a year prior. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in San Francisco, names several high-ranking Apple executives, including CEO Tim Cook and Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh, as defendants.
Apple initially introduced its AI efforts, dubbed Apple Intelligence, in 2024, intending to provide a more personalized user experience compared to competitors. Although features like Writing Tools and Image Playgrounds were eventually released, the much-anticipated upgrade to Siri has faced numerous delays.
As the situation stands, it remains uncertain when Siri’s enhancements will finally arrive, and even Apple seems to lack clarity on the timeline. During the 2025 WWDC Keynote, the only mention of Siri came from Craig Federighi, who assured attendees that work on the project was ongoing.
It’s worth noting that most of the share price decline in 2025 was attributed to tariff concerns, raising questions about how the shareholders will address this in their legal claims.
Apple Evaluates Acquisition of Perplexity AI Company
Apple executives are reportedly exploring the acquisition or partnership with the AI startup Perplexity, potentially to enhance their search capabilities or improve Siri. Key figures in these discussions are Adrian Perica, the head of mergers, and Eddy Cue.
Sources indicate that these internal talks are still in the preliminary stages, and no formal offers have been made as of yet. An alliance with Perplexity could involve integrating its technology into Safari, Apple’s web browser, or incorporating it into the long-awaited Siri improvements, which are now projected for a 2026 release.
A recent report suggested that this initiative aims to develop an AI-powered search engine to reduce reliance on Google, which currently pays Apple about $20 billion annually to remain the default search engine for iPhones and Macs. However, this lucrative arrangement faces challenges due to ongoing antitrust scrutiny.
Should a deal with Perplexity be finalized, it would mark the largest acquisition in Apple’s history, valued at around $14 billion—significantly surpassing Apple’s $3 billion purchase of Beats in 2014. This interest in Perplexity may not come as a surprise, especially given testimony from Cue during the Google antitrust trial, where he acknowledged discussions with the AI company.
He stated, “We’ve been pretty impressed with what Perplexity has done, so we’ve started some discussions with them about what they’re doing.” This potential collaboration aligns with Apple’s broader strategy of working with multiple AI partners to diversify their offerings.
Alongside Perplexity, other notable names like OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Anthropic have been mentioned in relation to Apple’s AI development efforts. By engaging various providers, Apple aims to enhance user options while also managing costs effectively.
Apple M4 Mac Mini Sees Early Prime Day Price Drop to $469
Apple’s Mac mini M4 is currently available at a discounted price of $469, which is $130 off the retail price. This promotion offers a better-than-Black Friday deal that lasts until June 21.
While Amazon has sold out of this popular model, B&H still has units in stock. The M4 Mac mini features a sleek design and comes equipped with 16GB of RAM in its standard configuration.
Normally priced at $599, this compact desktop is an attractive option for families or as an additional workstation in your office. The current 22% discount makes it even more appealing for those looking to upgrade their tech.
Currently, there are several other M4 Mac mini models on sale. The 16GB with 512GB storage is priced at $689, reflecting a $110 discount.
Additionally, the 24GB with 512GB storage is available for $849, offering a $150 reduction. For those considering the M4 Pro version, it is priced at $1,286.99, which is $113 off.
B&H has indicated that their inventory is limited, and the ongoing sales will conclude on June 21. Interested buyers should act quickly to take advantage of the discount.
The M4 Mac mini features the model number MU9D3LL/A and boasts an impressive 10-core CPU and GPU. Moreover, there are ongoing deals for MacBooks and iMacs available elsewhere.
If you’re specifically looking for budget-friendly options like a Mac Studio or all-in-one iMac, Woot, which is affiliated with Amazon, has attractive offers on refurbished models starting at $649.