Tech Trends 📰

Apple in talks to bring Claude or ChatGPT for powering Siri's next big update: Here's what we know

Apple is in talks with Anthropic and OpenAI to potentially power the next big Siri update using their AI models, instead of relying solely on Apple’s own AI.. Apple executives Mike Rockwell and Craig Federighi led the shift in strategy, testing both in-house and external AI systems for Siri.. Tests showed Anthropic’s Claude model performed best for Siri’s needs, leading to negotiations between Apple and Anthropic.. Apple wants to run Claude or ChatGPT on its Private Cloud Compute servers to keep user data secure.. Talks with Anthropic hit a snag over high costs, so Apple may still choose OpenAI or another partner if no agreement is reached..

DeepSeek faces ban from Apple, Google app stores in Germany

Germany has asked Apple and Google to remove the DeepSeek AI app from their app stores, claiming it illegally sends users’ personal data to China.. The German data protection commissioner said DeepSeek failed to prove that user data stored in China is protected to EU standards.. DeepSeek has already faced bans in Italy and on government devices in the Netherlands, with Belgium and Spain also raising concerns.. The app’s privacy policy confirms it stores requests and uploaded files on servers in China, which raises national security worries.. U.S. lawmakers are also planning to ban the use of Chinese-developed AI models like DeepSeek in government agencies, especially after reports of its links to China’s military and intelligence..

Apple updates the rules for its EU App Store by adding more complicated fees | TechCrunch

Apple has updated its EU App Store rules to comply with the Digital Markets Act to avoid more fines after already being penalized €500 million.. Developers in the EU can now include external payment links in apps, websites, or web views without needing to follow Apple's previous restrictions.. Apple replaced its Core Technology Fee with a more layered fee system that includes an initial acquisition fee of 2% and a store services fee of either 13% or 5%, depending on the selected tier.. A new 5% Core Technology Commission will apply to developers using external payment links, and this will fully replace the previous install-based fee by January 2026.. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticized the move, calling it an unlawful attempt to undermine fair competition and avoid meaningful compliance..

Apple's Liquid Glass interface improves with release of iOS 26 Beta 2 | TechCrunch

IOS 26 Beta 2 improves Apple’s new Liquid Glass interface by enhancing readability, especially in the Control Center, through background blur adjustments.. Liquid Glass, introduced at WWDC 2025, gives iOS a translucent, glass-like visual style but faced early criticism for readability issues.. Notifications have been made slightly sharper in the latest beta, though users still report difficulty reading them against bright backgrounds.. Apple appears to be responding to user feedback ahead of iOS 26’s full release in the fall.. Other updates in Beta 2 include new Accessibility details in App Store listings, iCloud sync for the Journaling app on iPad, Apple Wallet order tracking, and an Apple Music Radio widget..

Your iPad is your new computer | TechCrunch

Apple’s iPadOS 26 brings major updates that make the iPad feel more like a true computer.. A new windowing system lets you view and tile multiple open windows, replacing Split View and Slide Over.. The Preview app now lets you edit PDFs with AutoFill and Apple Pencil support.. New features like local video call recording and high-performance background tasks help creators and professionals work better on iPad.. iPad apps now have menu bars, making it easier to access commands..

A big list of the small and hidden features in iOS 26 | TechCrunch

Apple launched iOS 26 with a new “Liquid Glass” design and unified OS version numbering.. Small but useful upgrades include custom alarm snoozes, new Safari gestures, and AI in Shortcuts.. The Phone app adds call filters, SIM-based focus modes, and a better call interface.. The battery menu now offers smarter insights, adaptive power mode, and per-app usage data.. Reminders, Apple Music, Camera, and language features get convenient updates to enhance usability..

Apple tries to delay ruling that bars it from taking a cut on external app payments

Apple's Response: Apple filed an emergency motion to delay the enforcement of this ruling, arguing that it would cause "irreparable harm" to its business operations and revenue streams.. Legal Argument: Apple contends that the new ruling significantly expands the scope of a previous injunction from 2021, which did not explicitly forbid the company from charging commissions on external payments.. Compliance Measures: Despite the ruling, Apple had implemented a 27% fee on external transactions and displayed warning messages, actions that the court found to be in violation of the earlier injunction.. Industry Impact: Following the court's decision, companies like Spotify and Amazon updated their iOS apps to include links directing users to their own websites for payments, bypassing Apple's in-app purchase system.