iOS 27

If you use a Mac you'll probably install iOS 27 when it's available. The following article discusses what's

coming...Jim

iOS 27 leak reveals new Siri design, Camera app, more

If you do the subject upgrade, here's an article with a possible consequence...Jim

https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/21/ios-27-will-drop-support-for-four-iphone-models-says-leaker/

If you're an Apple computer/iPad user, some new benefits are headed your way. Take a peek at the article

and find out what they might be?....Jim H

From a supercharged Siri to an enhanced Safari, Apple is going all-in on generative and on-device AI. These are the changes that will transform how you use your iPhone, Mac, and more.

Apple Intelligence is the big theme of WWDC 2026, with Apple aggressively expanding AI functionality across all of its core apps and services. Between custom Safari extensions, nifty new image editing and generation tools, and a reimagined Siri, however, it's difficult to figure out what's worth caring about. As someone who spends a lot of time testing Apple's suite of AI features, I'm here to help clear the confusion.

Whether you decide to dive into the public beta or wait until the official release, below are the most exciting and useful new Apple Intelligence features on the horizon, starting with the ones I think will have the biggest impact.

1. The Next Generation of Siri
Although Siri can currently tap into ChatGPT for responses, it doesn't do all that much with AI. That all changes with Siri AI, Apple's new AI-powered version of the assistant. Generally, you can expect Siri AI to work much like any other chatbot; it will facilitate free-flowing, organic conversations that go much deeper and longer than ever before.
iPhone iOS 27 Siri AI. This is the new Siri AI you can activate anywhere to answer questions and do tasks for you. 

The quality of Siri AI's voice also seems to be on par with what you get from ChatGPT or Gemini voice chat capabilities. During the keynote, Apple showed off various sliders to adjust Siri's tone and speaking speed, which I appreciate. But Siri isn't just becoming a better conversational partner; Apple plans to embed Siri's AI deeply across its various operating systems. For example, you will be able to task Siri with sending emails and ask it questions about what's on your screen, among many other things.

Siri AI can understand personal context, too. For example, you can simply ask it to find some good photos of the trip you took last weekend. By all accounts, this will work similarly to Gemini's Personal Intelligence feature. So, rather than requiring you to provide every bit of information the AI needs to complete a task or respond to a prompt, Siri AI can pull your relevant details and files as needed.


2. A Privacy-First Vision for AI Functionality.
Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, made it clear that Apple wants to stand out from other AI services by committing to a more user-friendly privacy policy. He lambasted competitors for training on user data by default, among other things. To that end, Apple Intelligence's new AI features will also either run locally on your device or on the brand's Private Cloud Compute service.

According to Apple, Private Cloud Compute is a cloud intelligence system that ensures your data isn't accessible to anyone (including Apple) but you. Apple also promises that the security of Private Cloud Compute is continually verifiable by independent third parties. I'm no security expert, so I can't do that verification myself, but Apple's general commitment to privacy far exceeds what you get from other major AI services, such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.

3. The First Truly Multi-Platform AI Ecosystem.
You can use Copilot across Microsoft apps and Gemini within Google apps, and both across pretty much any computer, phone, or tablet. However, starting with Apple's 27 series of operating systems, Apple Intelligence will work not only across a series of cross-platform apps but also as a cohesive set of features on a much deeper OS and device level.

This goes beyond simply opening the ChatGPT app on your phone and resuming a conversation on the ChatGPT website from your computer. In the case of Apple Intelligence, you can interact with the AI about local files on your Mac and then pick up that same conversation on your iPhone without waiting to upload anything. Put simply, Apple is poised to create an unrivaled ecosystem of connected AI devices with personalized intelligence. Apple says AI features extend to AirPods and CarPlay as well.


4. More Seamless Communication Tricks Than Ever Before.
Apple Intelligence is getting a bevy of communication-focused upgrades. For one, Apple is improving on-device dictation courtesy of Apple Intelligence, but that's just the beginning. You can use Apple Intelligence to pop up relevant information during calls, generate text in your voice, or present useful contextual prompts in the Messages app, such as adding something to your calendar, among other things.

I'm not a fan of letting AI communicate for me, but I appreciate the quality-of-life features Apple Intelligence brings. For example, Apple demonstrated how Apple Intelligence automatically displayed relevant flight information in the Phone app during a call to the airline, eliminating the need to have an email at the ready. Additionally, Apple showed how a button for quickly adding an event to your calendar appeared automatically beneath a relevant text message. These kinds of improvements feel like clever uses for AI that actually save time rather than replace tasks that you should do yourself.


5. Easier Ways to Create and Edit Images.
Apple's Image Playground app (its take on an AI image generator) is getting an overhaul, so you should expect higher-quality AI-generated images. However, the Camera app is also gaining new Apple Intelligence features: Clean Up, Extend, and Reframe. Clean Up lets you remove blemishes or distractions, while Extend lets you expand a frame with generative content. These aren't particularly novel ways to edit images with AI, even if they will likely be useful.

Reframe is much more exciting. It lets you adjust photo framing in real time (regardless of whether you took them with an Apple device) and then fills in any new content that's needed. Gemini can use an image you upload as the basis for generating a new one from a different angle, but that's not nearly as impressive as what Apple is doing here. Based on the keynote presentation, this feature seems to do an excellent job of preserving as much of the original image as possible.


6. Custom Extensions in Safari.
Have you ever wished a website had a feature it just didn't have? Apple Intelligence aims to address this problem. With the Describe an Extension feature, you can use natural language to explain a feature you want, such as the ability to save recipes with a single click, and Apple Intelligence will build it for you. This brings vibe coding into the world of web browsers, and I can imagine countless ways to use this feature.

For example, I use a Path of Exile extension to copy the text of items listed on the official website with a simple click for use with a third-party calculator. However, I had to go through a number of these extensions before I found one that actually worked. With Describe an Extension, I could ostensibly just create such an extension myself.


7. Natural Language AI Automations.
Apple Shortcuts is a powerful automation app that lets you set up surprisingly complex if-this-then-that actions. For example, you can set up a shortcut to automatically text your partner your ETA after leaving work. However, actually making shortcuts is confusing and requires a guide. Apple Intelligence is set to make this process significantly easier. You can simply describe what you want a shortcut to do using natural language, and the AI will create it for you. I haven't worked with shortcuts much because I haven't dedicated the time to learning how to set them up, but I'm far more likely to explore this app now with these AI improvements.


How and When Can You Use Apple's New AI Features?
Developers now have beta access to Apple's new 27 series of operating systems, which include the AI features the company revealed at WWDC. A public beta should arrive in July. You can expect the full release of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, visionOS 27, and watchOS 27 this fall. Apple hasn't announced a specific release date just yet, but I expect it sometime in September, based on Apple's historical release schedule.

As with other Apple OS updates, the 27 series will be free. However, keep in mind that Apple's most powerful AI models require certain iPads (M4 or later with 12GB memory), iPhones (iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro), and Macs (M3 or later). Apple also noted that some AI features, such as image generation, will have usage limits tied to iCloud+ subscriptions, though details on that are currently scarce.

Inevitably, not every Apple Intelligence feature will work on every Apple device, such as the Apple Watch, but Apple says its new AI features are multiplatform. In other words, most capabilities should work on most of its devices. It's also worth noting that regulatory hurdles are delaying the launch of new Apple Intelligence features in the EU and China, at least at the time of writing.


Many More Features Are Arriving Soon.
The features mentioned here are just the highlights of what's coming to Apple Intelligence. An exhaustive list of others is also on the way, including tools to improve weak passwords and manage tabs in Safari. Furthermore, this is just the first wave of AI features following Apple's partnership with Google to use Gemini technology. I expect the companies' AI efforts to innovate at least somewhat symbiotically and the deluge of new features to continue.

I'll be downloading the public betas when they're released so I can test the latest Apple Intelligence features firsthand, but in the meantime, check out our WWDC landing page for all the latest news from the conference.

More iOS 27 News

If you own a newer iPhone, there's an update coming. My iPhone is so old it won't take this update...Jim H

https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/08/ios-27-announcement/

Apple officially announces iOS 27, the next major iPhone update

Forest Management

From Frank C who says: Since I am a forester who studied fires and started backfires, I found this post to be a very well researched and reasoned response to the idiocy that Canada should put out its wild fires to prevent smoke from being pushed into the US by the winds…

[Sorry, images were not included but I think you can still follow this, editor]

Want to take a moment to address some of the most frequent questions we have seen in the comment section over the last few days.
Forest Management Neglect
To understand this question, you have to understand where these fires are burning. In green is an area known as the Canadian Boreal Forest. In the second image is the location of active fires across Canada. As you can see, most are burning within this region.
Why is this important?
This forest is massive—on a scale that most of us can’t begin to comprehend. It is the largest intact forest ecosystem on the planet.
Additionally…
Canada’s boreal forest: ~1.3 billion acres (about 520 million hectares or 2 million square miles). It stretches from the Yukon to Newfoundland in an almost continuous belt.
Largest U.S. forest (Tongass National Forest, Alaska): 16.7 million acres.
Largest forest in the contiguous U.S. (Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest): about 6.3 million acres.
All U.S. National Forests combined: about 193 million acres.
For perspective…
Canada’s boreal forest is roughly 78 times larger than the Tongass, the largest forest in the United States.
It’s roughly 7 times larger than all 154 U.S. National Forests combined.
It represents one of the largest intact forest ecosystems left on Earth, with vast areas that have no roads and are inaccessible except by aircraft or winter roads.
Less than 9% of Canada’s population lives within this region, and less than 1% of the boreal forest itself is developed.
Most of the boreal is remote, roadless, and inaccessible, making large-scale forest management and wildfire suppression fundamentally different from managing forests near populated areas in the U.S.
In ecosystems like the boreal forest, wildfire is one of nature’s primary management tools and has shaped these forests for thousands of years. While forest management absolutely has an important role near communities, roads, and other developed areas, applying that approach across more than a billion acres of largely roadless wilderness simply isn’t practical.
⸻
Fires seem to be worse the last few years?
This is a bit of a tougher question to address because it has both truth and misconception tied to it.
Canada has averaged roughly 7,000 wildfires annually over the last three decades. Interestingly, the 2023 season did not have an unprecedented number of fires—it had a near-average number of ignitions.
With that said, 2023 was historically significant because of the total area burned. An unusually large number of fires escaped initial containment, grew exceptionally large, and produced one of the most memorable smoke events across the Northeast in modern history.
⸻
Smoke seems to only impact the Northeast the last few years?
1950 – Smoke from major Canadian fires affected parts of the northeastern U.S., described in historical forestry and meteorological records.
1988 – Smoke from widespread Canadian fires reached the Great Lakes and Northeast during a severe fire season.
1995 – Canadian wildfire smoke produced hazy conditions and degraded air quality across parts of the Northeast.
July 2002 – NOAA identifies this as the last smoke episode of similar magnitude to the June 2023 event in the eastern U.S. before 2023.
2017 – Large British Columbia fires sent smoke across much of North America, with periodic impacts reaching the Northeast, though the strongest effects were farther west.
2021 – Smoke from western Canadian fires reached the Northeast, producing hazy skies in several states.
2023 – The record-breaking Quebec fires produced the most severe surface smoke event in decades for New York City and much of the Northeast.
2025 – Another widespread smoke episode affected portions of the Northeast during Canada’s second-largest season by area burned.
2026 – Smoke again spread into the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts from New England through the Mid-Atlantic.
The short answer is yes—it has happened for decades.
What appears to have changed is not that Canadian wildfire smoke suddenly began reaching the Northeast, but that surface-level smoke events affecting air quality have become more frequent over the last several years. A combination of larger fires and favorable upper-level wind patterns has allowed smoke to be transported and mixed down to the surface more often.
It’s also important to remember that weather determines where the smoke goes—not where the fires are. The same Canadian fires can have little or no impact on the Northeast one year, then create hazardous air quality another year simply because of a different upper-level wind pattern.
⸻
Doesn’t it smell like chemicals instead of smoke?
The answer is yes—and there’s a reason for that.
1. Incomplete combustion (the biggest reason)
Wildfires rarely burn cleanly. Smoldering logs, leaves, peat, duff, and damp vegetation burn at relatively low temperatures, producing:
Aldehydes (such as formaldehyde and acrolein)
Ketones
Organic acids
Phenols
Benzene and other aromatic hydrocarbons
Many of these compounds have a pungent, chemical odor even at very low concentrations.
2. Different fuels create different smells
A wildfire isn’t just burning tree trunks. It also burns:
• Pine needles and resin (terpene-rich, sharp smell)
• Leaves
• Moss and lichens
• Soil organic matter
• Dead wood
• Peat
• Shrubs
Each produces its own unique mix of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
3. Atmospheric “aging”
As smoke travels hundreds or even thousands of miles—as Canadian smoke often does into the Northeast—the chemistry changes.
Sunlight and ozone react with the original smoke compounds, producing new compounds that can make older smoke smell more chemical, acrid, or solvent-like than a nearby campfire.
4. Sometimes man-made materials burn
If fires involve cabins, vehicles, power infrastructure, or communities, smoke may also contain compounds from:
• Plastics
• Paints
• Roofing materials
• Synthetic fabrics
• Electronics
Fire Ignition Source
Lightning is overwhelmingly the dominant cause of the largest fires. Millions of lightning strikes every summer across the Boreal Forest, particularly during “dry thunderstorms”. Many strikes occur hundreds of miles from the nearest road or community. Some ignite immediately, while others become “holdover fires,” smoldering underground in peat or forest duff for days—or even weeks—before weather conditions allow them to flare up.
Other Leading Causes (Small Percentage in these remote locations)
Campfires from hunters, anglers, and backcountry campers.
Sparks from railroads.
Powerline failures (where infrastructure exists).
Forestry and mining equipment.
Off-road vehicles and machinery.
Intentional arson (rare in the remote boreal compared to populated areas).
This post isn’t intended to trigger debate, or to diminish other causal factors, but to provide some facts and perspective to the general conversation.

Apple to Raise Prices

According to this article, it is 'guestimated' that Apple may need to raise prices on their products. The article explains why. So, if you might be in the market to purchase an Apple product, sooner might be better than later.

My old iPhone X was introduced in 2017, but it still functions fine, so I'll keep using it.....Jim H

Thoughtful, detailed coverage of everything Apple for over 30 years

22 June 2026

#1809: Apple to raise prices

Tim Cook has confirmed what many feared: Apple will raise prices due to skyrocketing memory and storage costs driven by AI demand. Adam Engst breaks down the math to show what this could mean for iPhone pricing. Glenn Fleishman has launched Fruit Specs, a powerful new website for slicing and dicing Apple hardware and software features—a must-visit for anyone researching Apple products. Adam also investigates a confusing iOS 26 interface quirk where dragging apps to the Hidden folder doesn’t work as expected. We briefly link to Ryan Moulton’s fascinating explanation of why your screen can’t display certain real-world colors and BasicAppleGuy’s comparison showing how macOS 27 Golden Gate improves on macOS 26 Tahoe’s blurry Liquid Glass icons. Notable Mac app releases this week include 1Password 8.12.24, Bookends 15.4.1, DEVONthink 4.3.2, Firefox 152.0.1, and OmniFocus 4.8.12.

ADAM ENGST 18 June 20265 comments

Tim Cook Confirms Apple Will Raise Prices Due to Memory and Storage Costs

In “iPhone and Services Drive Apple to Record Q2 2026 Despite Supply Constraints” (1 May 2026), Michael Cohen and I wrote:

the more revealing guidance came from Cook, who warned that memory costs would be “significantly higher” next quarter due to memory manufacturers redirecting output to AI chips. It’s going to get worse before it gets better, as Cook noted, saying, “beyond the June quarter, we believe memory costs will drive an increasing impact on our business.” Apple can absorb some of that impact thanks to its scale and margins, but only up to a point.

That point has now arrived. In an exclusive interview with the Wall Street Journal’s Rolfe Winkler, outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that the company would have to raise prices to account for the soaring costs of memory and storage chips, driven by demand from AI companies. The article is behind a paywall, but you can watch the summary video for free.

Winkler suggests in his summary that Apple has absorbed the cost increases so far because it has always treated memory and storage upgrades as profit centers. That’s no surprise to the Apple community, which has long chafed at Apple’s premium prices for memory and storage. But now, for instance, the price of standalone internal flash storage is closer to and sometimes even higher than Apple’s upgrade prices.

Calculating Possible Price Increases or Margin Hits

Winkler quotes research firm TechInsights as saying that the cost of memory and storage in an iPhone 17 Pro was about $50 last year, but the same components for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro would be about $200. Apple’s gross margin on hardware was 38.7% in Q2 2026, down from 40.7% in Q1 2026. We don’t know the iPhone 17 Pro’s specific margin—as a premium product, it’s probably higher than average—but let’s use 38.7% for illustration. For a 256 GB iPhone 17 Pro that retails for $1100 and has a 38.7% margin:

  • Profit would be $1100 × 0.387 = $425.

  • Cost of goods would be $1100 – ($1100 × 0.387) = $675.

  • The estimated memory/storage portion of the cost of goods is $50.

So, for a hypothetical iPhone 18 Pro:

  • The increase in the estimated memory/storage cost is $200 – $50 = $150.

  • The estimated cost of goods would be $675 + $150 = $825.

  • To maintain the $1100 price, the profit would fall to $1100 – $825 = $275.

  • At a price of $1100, the resulting margin would be $275 ÷ $1100, or 25%.

  • To maintain a 38.7% margin, the price would be $825 ÷ (1 – 0.387) = $1345.

  • In raw dollars, the price increase would be $1345 – $1100 = $245.

  • As a percent increase, it would be ($1345 – $1100) ÷ $1100 × 100 = 22.3%.

Again, these numbers are almost certainly off because the iPhone 17 Pro likely has a higher gross margin, and we don’t know how other component prices might change over the year, especially with Apple’s volume purchasing abilities. The point, however, is that a $150 increase in the cost of goods would only result in a $150 price increase if Apple were willing to accept a gross margin of ($1250 – $825) ÷ $1250 × 100 = 34%.

Obviously, Apple could absorb such costs and more if it were to accept dramatically lower gross margins. But as high-minded and customer-focused as Apple is, the company is still in business to maximize profit.

Should You Buy Now?

Practically speaking, if you’re pondering the purchase of a new Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, you might consider making it sooner rather than later. Historically, I would have recommended that anyone in the market for a new iPhone wait until the new models appear in September, for instance, but it might make sense to buy one of today’s models instead if it’s $250 less. We don’t know when Apple will raise prices, but it would be easiest to do so with the release of new products.

Of course, Cook didn’t let the possibility of increased prices slip accidentally. If the threat of higher prices increases demand for Apple products now, that could still boost Apple’s bottom line. That’s what happened in 2025 when threatened tariffs caused people to move up planned purchases to an extent that outweighed the cost of the actual tariffs (see “Apple Reports Record-Breaking Q3 2025 Results,” 1 August 2025).

In other words, don’t look for Apple to be starting a GoFundMe anytime soon.

Technology Travel Tips

Kim Komando has travel tips in her blog today. See below. If you have some travel plans, these might be helpful.....Jim H

I hope you have some summer travel plans. I’m heading on a driving adventure through the Tetons. I’m also going to Europe. I rounded up what’s worth bringing along, from anti-theft gadgets to carry-on lifesavers. Best part? None of them takes up much room.....Kim

🔐 Protect your trip

Make sure your stuff and your privacy are locked down tight.

1. Apple AirTag ($29) or Tile (19% off, $21): Lost luggage is the worst souvenir. An AirTag is best if you have an iPhone. Tile plays nicely with Android. Toss one in your suitcase, backpack or wallet and track it from your phone.

2. RFID-blocking cards (20% off, $8, six-pack): Slide a paper-thin card into your wallet and cut off digital pickpockets trying to scan your credit cards and passport.

3. Data blocker adapters (50% off, $5, four-pack): That free USB port at the airport could be skimming your data while you charge. It’s called juice jacking. These only let power flow through. Tiny but smart.

4. Anti-theft zipper clips ($6, four-pack): All a pickpocket needs is a quick unzip. Clip one to your backpack and suitcase, so they’re not easy targets.

5. Hidden camera detector ($31): I found 11 hidden cameras in one Airbnb. Wave it around the room, and it sniffs out wireless signals, pinhole lenses and GPS trackers in seconds.

🤖 Tiny tech heroes

Your phone, your suitcase and your ability to order food in Italian, all covered.

6. Power bank (36% off, $23): Built-in cables mean one less thing to forget. Recharges an iPhone 17 about 3.5 times and fits in your pocket.

7. Luggage scale ($11): Avoid repacking at the check-in counter. This has saved me from paying overweight fees. Hook it to your suitcase handle to check before you leave home.

8. Travel plug adapter (20% off with Prime, $22, two-pack): Don’t panic-buy one when you land overseas. This covers most of Europe, with options for Australia, Brazil and more.

9. AI translation earbuds (48% off, $42): Pop them in and hear foreign conversations translated live, while the other person is still talking. No subscription required.

10. ROVE dashcam (27% off, $110): Road-tripping? Record everything in 4K, day or night. The 24-hour parking mode watches your car even when you’re off exploring.

🧳 Carry-on comforts

Turn a long day into a much smoother ride.

11. Neck pillow (35% off, $15): It’s 100% memory foam and comes with an eye mask, earplugs and a carry bag. One reviewer said they slept better on a 17-hour flight than in the hotel bed after landing. Love that.

12. Compression socks (44% off, $15): Long flights can leave your legs feeling like concrete. They improve circulation, reduce swelling and actually feel good to wear.

13. Compression packing cubes (15% off, $20, six-set): Overpackers, this one’s for you. Zip them up, then squeeze out extra space. Makes finding things way faster, too.

14. Travel toiletry bottles (23% off, $10): TSA-approved and leakproof, so they won’t explode in your luggage. Eighteen pieces cover your whole routine. No more overpaying for travel-size shampoo.

15. Pill organizer (20% off, $8): Keep all your medications and supplements sorted. You get a.m./p.m. slots for every day of the week. Bonus: a sleek leather travel case.

🚗 One last stop: I found dozens more travel favorites than I could fit into this list. Browse them all on my storefront page.

📩 Send this to someone with a summer trip booked.

Watch Duty App

From Frank C:

During the “Ready, Set, Go” presentation recently, an App for monitoring fires was mentioned. The Watch Duty App has been mention several other times at a PMUG presentation and is a non-profit app that was downloaded millions of times during the horrendous fires in LA.

Did you know that Prescott is considered by Cotality in 2025 as the 15th most at risk city in the entire US for Wild Fire damage?

Watch Duty has also now added Flood Watch to their app and in order to expand, they need additional funds. If you would like to support their efforts, you can do that here:

https://www.watchduty.org/get-involved/donate

Apple Watch Tip & Tricks

Using these tips and tricks will help you get the most out of your Apple Watch https://flip.it/XhAWE5

If you have an Apple watch, the following tip from blogger Kim Komando may be of interest....Jim H

Your Apple Watch sits on your wrist like a tiny doctor with a notification addiction. Buried in all that data is your VO2 max, basically how much oxygen your body can actually use when you move. Bigger number, stronger engine.

VO2 max isn’t a gym-bro brag. It’s one of the single strongest predictors of how long you’ll live. But here’s the twist. For a lot of people, that number shows up blank. And it usually comes down to one habit nobody told them about.

⌚ Trivia time: What does your Apple Watch need you to do before it can size up your VO2 max? A) Wear it to bed every night for a week, B) Knock out a treadmill or indoor gym workout, C) Head outside for a walk, run or hike, D) Sit very still on the couch and visualize cardio. No spoilers here, the answer is waiting for you at the end.

🥾 The answer: C) Your Apple Watch only estimates VO2 max during an Outdoor Walk, Run or Hike. Treadmills and the weight room don't count, no GPS to track your pace. Give it about 24 hours of wear and a few outdoor sessions for your first reading.

Why care? Cardio fitness predicts early death better than smoking, diabetes or high blood pressure. One study of 122,000 people found the fittest had up to 80% lower mortality risk. Fitter is better.

To see yours, open the Health app, tap Browse, Heart, then Cardio Fitness. Don’t see it? You need a newer watch running at least watchOS 7.2 and iOS 14.3 on your phone. Mine says my heart works like someone 23 years younger. That's not bragging. That's a lifetime of workouts and healthy eating. One for the road: Oxygen and magnesium went on a date. The other elements were like, OMg.

Apple Just Made About a Million Watches Obsolete

If you own an Apple watch, the following might be of interest.....Jim H

https://www.macworld.com/article/3159669/apple-just-made-about-a-million-apple-watches-obsolete.html

Apple just made about a million Apple Watches obsolete

watchOS 27 drops compatibility for several models.

See also: Lots of Apple Watches are about to lose support and Apple explains why that's happening https://flip.it/PGOVbW

iPad Tips

If you use an iPad, here's some tips that might be helpful...Jim H

Tidy Up Your iPad – Free Space, Fix Clutter, Get Organised

SamCambetis

May 25, 2025

Is your iPad running out of space or feeling cluttered? In this video, I’ll show you how to clean up your iPad, free up storage, and organise your apps and files step by step. Perfect for older iPads, slow iPads, or anyone who just wants a fresh start.

🔗 Crucial X9 Pro SSD (External Hard Drive): https://amzn.to/3ZaUT4q

MY WALLPAPER: https://tr.ee/oKKVkaHQ89

Chapters

00:00 Intro
00:21 What's Taking Up Storage on Your iPad?
01:17 Deleting Apps
02:31 Removing Large Media Files
04:42 Tidying Up the Files App
06:35 Where to Store Extra Files
07:43 Creating Folders in the Files App
09:21 iCloud Backups
10:29 Clearing Safari Cache
11:55 Organising Apps and Widgets
13:11 Adding a Widget
14:16 Adding Apps to the Home Screen 1
5:28 Changing Your Wallpaper
17:19 Outro

Apple AirTags

Still traveling a bit and using Apple's AirTags? Tech blogger Kim Komando posted the following on AirTags...Jim

Tiny gadget, giant confidence boost. That’s the AirTag experience. You pop one into a suitcase, purse or backpack, and suddenly, you’re the FBI of misplaced stuff. But get this, that little coin-size hero has one very awkward weakness. 

📍 When does an AirTag completely fail you? A) The power runs out, B) No Apple devices are nearby, C) It’s wrapped in tinfoil or D) It’s buried under sand. Stay positive, the answer’s at the end.

No Apple devices are nearby. AirTags don’t have GPS or cellular. They work because your AirTag pings nearby iPhones (within about 30 feet via Bluetooth), and those phones anonymously relay the location to you. 

In Manhattan? Updates every 1-2 minutes. In a remote forest, an empty warehouse at 3 a.m., the desert, the open ocean, a national park or anywhere iPhones aren’t constantly walking by? Your AirTag could go dark for hours or days. Use a real GPS tracker for high-stakes items.

Will your AirTag work in the wilderness? Not even remotely. 

iOS 26.5 Updates

If you're in the Apple 'ecosystem', the following blog has lots of Apple 'stuff' you may -- or may not -- want to take a look at...Jim H

Thoughtful, detailed coverage of everything Apple for over 30 years

18 May 2026

#1804: OS 26.5 encrypts RCS, fix Dictation mistakes with Contacts, iOS notification privacy fix, $250 million Siri settlement

Frustrated when Dictation fails to capitalize proper nouns or substitutes a contact’s name for a common word? Adam Engst shares a clever workaround using fake Contacts entries—and even zero-width Unicode spaces—to train Dictation across all your Apple devices. Last week brought us OS 26.5, which primarily gives iPhone users end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging for secure texting with Android users. Apple also extended a notification privacy fix to older iOS and iPadOS versions, addressing a bug that caused notifications to persist even after they were deleted. We link to coverage of Apple’s $250 million settlement over the delayed “more personalized” Siri, which could net eligible iPhone buyers $25–$95 per device. Notable Mac app releases this week include Bookends 15.4, ChronoSync 12.0.2, Microsoft Office for Mac 16.109, Safari 26.5, and Unite Pro 1.4.

Apple Extends Notification Privacy Fix to iOS 15, iOS 16, and iPadOS 17OS 26.5 Adds Encrypted RCS Messaging, Fixes BugsTipBITS: How Fake Contacts Can Fix Dictation’s Proper Noun ProblemsWatchlist: Mac App UpdatesBookends 15.4ChronoSync 12.0.2Microsoft Office for Mac 16.109Safari 26.5Unite Pro 1.4ExtraBITSApple Settles “More Personalized” Siri Delay Lawsuit for $250 Million

ADAM ENGST 13 May 20262 comments

Apple Extends Notification Privacy Fix to iOS 15, iOS 16, and iPadOS 17

In “iOS 26.4.2 and iOS 18.7.8 Address Notification Privacy Flaw Highlighted by FBI Case” (22 April 2026), I wrote about how Apple fixed a bug that caused notifications to be retained even when they should have been deleted. Apple has now extended that fix to older iOS and iPadOS versions, releasing iOS and iPadOS 15.8.8, iOS and iPadOS 16.7.16, and iPadOS 17.7.11 (there’s no iOS 17 update because all iOS 17–capable iPhones can run iOS 18) with no other changes. Check Settings > General > Software Update to see which version you’re running and which update is available.

This privacy vulnerability is not something most people will worry about, but anyone who fears a government agency might seize their device and extract sensitive data can now rest easier. So if you have an older iPhone or iPad that can’t upgrade past one of those operating system versions, install the update at your convenience.

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ADAM ENGST 11 May 20261 comment

OS 26.5 Adds Encrypted RCS Messaging, Fixes Bugs

Apple has released iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 with a smattering of new features. macOS 26.5 Tahoe, tvOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, and HomePod Software 26.5 contain only bug fixes, security updates, or performance and stability improvements.

The headline feature in iOS 26.5 is encrypted RCS messaging, which Apple is rolling out in beta for iPhone users on supported carriers. iPhones and iPads also gain Suggested Places in Maps, which Apple says displays recommendations based on “what’s trending nearby and your recent searches.” Forgive my skepticism, but this feature feels like a lead-in to ads in Maps, which absolutely no user has ever asked for.

iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 also introduce a new Pride Luminance wallpaper that “dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors” and is available for download. watchOS 26.5 adds a new Pride Luminance face that Apple describes in much the same way, and it fixes a bug where Messages could use SMS instead of iMessage when paired with a dual SIM iPhone, and another where Workout app audio alerts could fail to play if the paired iPhone wasn’t nearby. That’s it for the release notes.

End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messaging

One of iMessage’s claims to fame is that all messages are end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one, not even Apple, can decrypt them in transit or at rest. There is one caveat, though. When iCloud Backup and Messages in iCloud are both enabled, Apple controls the encryption key to the Messages backup and could be compelled to decrypt the messages, unless the user has turned on Advanced Data Protection (see “Apple’s Advanced Data Protection Gives You More Keys to iCloud Data,” 8 December 2022).

Regardless, iMessage is far more secure than traditional SMS, which lacks end-to-end encryption and relies on carrier infrastructure that can store, route, and forward messages. As the industry began replacing SMS with RCS (Rich Communication Services), interoperable end-to-end encryption was a notable omission. Google has offered encrypted RCS messaging between Android users in Google Messages for years, but until now, RCS conversations involving iPhone users could not be encrypted.

Apple is now rolling out a beta of end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging for iPhone users running iOS 26.5 with supported carriers and Android users on the latest version of Google Messages. Although the list of supported carriers is quite large, encrypted RCS also requires the latest version of Google Messages on Android—something many users may not have. You can tell if an RCS conversation is end-to-end encrypted by looking for a lock icon and message. Apple says that encryption is on by default and will automatically be enabled over time for existing RCS conversations.

Amusingly, Apple ends its announcement of encrypted RCS messaging with this dig:

iMessage was built with privacy in mind and has always been end-to-end encrypted. It remains the best way to communicate between Apple devices.

Apparently, someone at Apple wants to make sure that adding RCS encryption doesn’t imply that iPhone users should turn off iMessage and go about their lives as green-bubble friends. Frankly, that seems far-fetched, given the ingrained separation of blue and green bubble people.

Security Updates

As always, these updates include numerous fixes for security vulnerabilities, perhaps more than usual, and credit a somewhat higher-than-usual proportion of individual researchers. However, none are zero-day vulnerabilities that are being exploited in the wild. Apple also updated the previous versions of iOS and iPadOS, as well as the last two versions of macOS.

I’ve been curious if we would see an increase in the number of acknowledged fixes after Apple joined Anthropic’s Project Glasswing and gained access to the Claude Mythos AI model (see “What Anthropic’s Mythos and Project Glasswing Mean for Your Apple Devices,” 9 April 2026). There’s no specific mention of Mythos in the release notes, but for the first time, several CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, the standard system for cataloging security flaws) credit Claude and Anthropic. Subsequently, Calif.io posted about a macOS kernel memory corruption exploit developed with help from Mythos. We’ll look for Calif.io’s name in future security notes.

CVE-2026-28942: Milad Nasr and Nicholas Carlini with Claude, Anthropic

CVE-2026-28952: Calif.io in collaboration with Claude and Anthropic Research

Unfortunately, iOS 18.7.9 and iPadOS 18.7.9 are available only for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and iPad 7th generation—Apple has rescinded the brief reprieve it gave other iOS 18 users who do not want to upgrade to iOS 26 (see “Apple Offers iOS 18.7.7 Security Update as Alternative to iOS 26.4 Upgrade,” 1 April 2026, and “iOS 26.4.2 and iOS 18.7.8 Address Notification Privacy Flaw Highlighted by FBI Case,” 22 April 2026).

Update Advice

The main reason to install these updates sooner rather than later is the security fixes. Encrypted RCS messaging is of course welcome, but since we haven’t had it until now, it’s hard to imagine a few more days without it causing anyone much hardship. So wait until the end of the week to make sure there are no unwelcome surprises that will prompt a quick fix from Apple, then install the updates.

AI in the News

It seems Apple and AI have a few issues, as you'll read if you open the article in the following...Jim H

OpenAI is reportedly preparing legal action against Apple; it wouldn't be the first partner to feel burned: According to Bloomberg, 

OpenAI has enlisted an outside law firm to work through its options. Read More

Apple’s Siri and AI

Here's a speculation on what the next revision of Apple's Siri might include. Looks like Apple wants to get more into using AI....Jim H

Apple’s Siri revamp could include auto-deleting chats.
Privacy will be a major theme when Apple unveils a new version of Siri at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

The Siri relaunch is widely seen as Apple’s big chance to reestablish its relevance in artificial intelligence. As part of that effort, company executives will argue that they’re taking a more privacy-friendly approach than most other AI companies, Gurman said.

Apple will reportedly launch the first standalone Siri app, powered by Google Gemini and offering users a chatbot experience reminiscent of ChatGPT.  But compared to those other chatbots, the app is supposed to have more limitations on how long user information can be used and stored.

For example, Gurman said Siri could include a feature similar to the Messages app, allowing users to automatically delete conversations after 30 days or one year — or to keep them indefinitely.

Gurman also suggested that Apple might be emphasizing privacy as a way to excuse Siri’s shortcomings compared to competing products — and that this emphasis might obscure the fact that Google is handling some of the security.

Monsoon Season Preparedness

At our last meeting we talked about emergency preparedness concerning wildfire. Here is information from the Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management concerning preparedness for the monsoons we are expecting next month. From the editor, Mary Ann

Monsoon Season Preparedness

YAVAPAI COUNTY, Arizona – As the 2026 monsoon season approaches, local emergency officials are urging residents to prepare for increased storm activity and sudden flooding risks. The Arizona monsoon season officially begins on June 15th and runs through September 30th. Monsoon thunderstorms typically produce half of the annual precipitation for central and northern Arizona. Because these storms develop rapidly, they can cause severe property damage and a sudden onset of flash flooding.

The Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management (YCOEM) and the Yavapai County Flood Control District (YCFCD) remind residents to take proactive steps to protect their homes and families now, especially if they live in low-lying areas or FEMA-designated flood zones.

Because monsoon storms can impact both residential areas and popular outdoor recreation spots, local meteorologists urge extreme caution for those exploring the region's diverse landscape. "Whether you're hiking a slot canyon or cooling off by a creek in northern Arizona, always monitor the forecast before heading out, and have a way to receive potentially life-saving weather alerts while in the backcountry," warns Megan Taylor, Warning Coordination Meteorologist from NWS Flagstaff. "Remember, in areas near fire scars and within canyons, flash floods can happen in minutes. Don't let a sudden storm catch you off guard!"

Sandbags are a highly effective, low-cost way to protect your home against major sheet-flow and floodwater damage. Yavapai County residents can fill sandbags for free at any of the 23 self-service filling locations positioned across the county. Residents must bring their own shovels, as tools are not provided at the stations. To locate the nearest sandbag-filling site to you, visit www.yavapaiready.gov/sandbags.

Beyond sandbags, residents can significantly reduce their risk by implementing these five safety measures before the first storm hits:

1. Prepare an Emergency Kit: Build or refresh a disaster supply kit for yourself, your family, and your pets.

2. Clear Property Drainage: Clean out rain gutters, trim trees around your home to prevent wind damage, and inspect or repair roof tiles and shingles.

3. Know Your Risk: Identify if your home or property sits within a recognized flood zone by entering your address at msc.fema.gov.

4. Practice Roadway Safety: Never attempt to drive through a flooded wash or roadway. It only takes 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

5. Stay Informed: Keep local news and weather alerts handy. Ensure your cell phone is set to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) for your immediate area.

The National Weather Service uses simplified, impact-based language to ensure the public knows exactly when to take action. Familiarize yourself with these core definitions:

* Flood Watch (Be Prepared): Issued when atmospheric conditions are favorable for flooding to develop. It does not mean flooding is guaranteed to happen, but you should have a plan in place and monitor updates.

* Flood/Flash Flood Warning (Take Action!): Issued when dangerous flooding is imminent or already occurring. A Flash Flood Warning means minutes matter. Move to higher ground immediately if you are in a low-lying area.

* Flash Flood: A sudden, violent flood that can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to develop.

Flash flooding can happen incredibly fast, sometimes with little to no warning. You can experience a dangerous flash flood downstream even if it is not raining directly in your immediate area.

For comprehensive flooding preparedness information, local emergency resources, and mitigation tips, visit www.yavapaiready.gov/flood.

To research FEMA-designated flood zones or learn more about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), please visit the Yavapai County Flood Control District at www.yavapaiaz.gov/ycflood.

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