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Everything Apple announced: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 and AirPods 5

By
Brian Code
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0

Apple has unveiled its latest generation of consumer devices, with its September hardware launch introducing a foldable iPhone for the first time alongside new iPhone Pro models, Apple Watches and AirPods.

The headline product is the iPhone Duo, Apple’s long awaited entry into the foldable smartphone market, but the company also introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5.

iPhone Duo

Apple’s first foldable phone combines a 5.4 inch outer display with a 7.6 inch inner display, making the latter the largest screen Apple has put on an iPhone.

The Duo uses a grade 5 titanium chassis and a precision hinge containing more than 100 components. Both displays support ProMotion and Always On functionality, while the folding display receives a nano texture treatment designed to minimise reflections and make the crease less noticeable.

Inside is Apple’s new 2nm A20 Pro processor, alongside a custom vapor chamber and dual battery architecture.

Apple has also redesigned iOS 27 for the folding form factor, adding Split View multitasking, app pairs, dual app windows and interfaces that adapt as the phone is folded and unfolded.

The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 and will be available from October 23.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

The iPhone 18 Pro series is also powered by A20 Pro but maintains Apple’s traditional smartphone form factor.

Its biggest camera upgrade is a new 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture. Users can manually choose between four aperture settings, giving photographers greater control over light and depth of field.

Apple has also redesigned the thermal system around a next generation vapor chamber and reduced the size of the Dynamic Island.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the Pro Max starts at $1,299. Both arrive September 18.

Apple Watch Series 12

Health is at the centre of Apple Watch Series 12.

Apple has introduced a new Health Sensing System alongside its S11 chip, providing higher frequency heart rate and heart rate variability measurements.

The additional data powers a new Readiness feature, which generates a score based on recent activity, training load, vital signs and sleep to help users understand their capacity for exercise and other activities.

Series 12 also introduces Audio Intelligence features, including Sound Recognition, Live Rewind and Siri Recap. Live Rewind can show a text representation of the previous 15 seconds of a conversation, while Siri Recap generates summaries of conversations for later reference.

Apple says these features do not create or store audio recordings. Audio processing is isolated within a Secure Exclave on the S11 chip, with the raw audio deleted after processing.

Battery life remains up to 24 hours for everyday use, although outdoor workout battery life increases to 10 hours. A 15 minute charge can provide up to another 12 hours of battery life.

Series 12 comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes and introduces aluminium, titanium and ceramic variants. Prices start at $399, with availability beginning September 18.

Apple Watch Ultra 4

Apple Watch Ultra 4 brings the same Health Sensing System and S11 processor to Apple’s rugged smartwatch.

Apple says the watch can measure heart rate every five seconds throughout the day, while HRV can now be measured up to 24 times more frequently. It also receives the new Readiness score.

Battery life increases to as much as 50 hours during normal use and 84 hours in Low Power Mode. A new Max Extended Workout mode can record outdoor workouts for up to 45 hours while continuing to take GPS readings every second.

Charging for 15 minutes can provide up to 18 additional hours of battery life.

The Ultra 4 comes in natural and black titanium and retains satellite communications for situations where cellular and Wi Fi networks are unavailable.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799 and will be available from September 18.

AirPods 5

Apple also introduced AirPods 5, bringing Active Noise Cancellation to its most affordable AirPods.

The earbuds retain an open ear design but use a new multiport acoustic architecture and next generation Adaptive EQ. Apple claims the new ANC removes up to 50 percent more external noise than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.

AirPods 5 also work with Siri AI, allowing users to access Apple’s new assistant hands free, and support Live Translation for conversations across supported languages.

Apple is offering two versions.

The standard AirPods 5 cost $129, while the $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add stem based volume controls, longer battery life and wireless charging.

The higher end version provides up to five hours of listening with ANC enabled and up to 22 hours with the charging case. Its case supports USB C, Qi chargers and Apple Watch chargers.

Both AirPods 5 models are available for preorder immediately and reach stores on September 18.

Apple is putting AI deeper into its hardware

One theme connects almost everything Apple announced this year: Apple Intelligence is moving beyond software features and becoming more tightly integrated with Apple’s hardware.

Siri AI arrives across the new iPhones and Apple Watches, while Apple is using AI to interpret health data, provide contextual information, assist with photography and enable hands free interactions through AirPods.

The redesigned Health app is another significant part of that strategy. Apple says it will use Apple Intelligence to analyse health information and surface insights, with a new Longevity section including Health Age, which compares selected health metrics with a user’s actual age.

The September launch therefore goes beyond annual specification upgrades. The iPhone Duo gives Apple an entirely new smartphone form factor, while A20 Pro, S11 and Apple’s growing use of on device intelligence indicate where the company sees the next phase of its hardware ecosystem heading.

Apple launches iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable iPhone Duo

By
GURU8 Staff
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0

Apple has unveiled its latest generation of iPhones, introducing the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max alongside the iPhone Duo, the company’s first foldable smartphone.

The September 9 launch represents one of Apple’s biggest changes to the iPhone lineup in years. While the iPhone 18 Pro models focus on cameras, performance, battery life and artificial intelligence, the iPhone Duo introduces an entirely new form factor built around two displays and a folding titanium design.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip and introduce a redesigned thermal system using a next generation vapor chamber. Apple says the combination delivers the highest sustained performance it has achieved on an iPhone.

Both phones also feature a smaller Dynamic Island and run iOS 27, with support for Apple Intelligence and Apple’s new Siri AI.

Photography is one of the biggest areas of improvement. Apple has equipped the phones with a new 48MP Fusion Main camera featuring variable aperture, bringing adjustable aperture control to the iPhone for the first time.

The camera uses six blades to move between different apertures, automatically adjusting depth of field and light capture. Professional users can also manually select between four aperture settings in the Camera app. Apple says the new sensor improves low light photography and detail, while giving photographers greater control over depth of field.

Apple is offering both phones in black, silver, glacier and a new burgundy finish.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299. Both are available with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB of storage. Preorders open September 12, with availability beginning September 18.

Apple enters the foldable phone market with iPhone Duo

The more significant addition to Apple’s smartphone lineup is the iPhone Duo.

It is Apple’s first foldable iPhone and introduces a 5.4 inch outer Super Retina XDR display paired with a 7.6 inch folding inner display. Apple says the outer screen provides 90 percent of the screen area of the iPhone 18 Pro, while opening the device reveals the largest display ever fitted to an iPhone. Apple

Both screens have the same aspect ratio, allowing content to scale proportionally as users move between them. They support ProMotion, Always On functionality and up to 3,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness.

Apple has also added a nano texture finish to the inner display to reduce glare, reflections and the visibility of the fold crease. The company says Apple Pencil with USB C support will arrive later this year.

Instead of Face ID, Touch ID is integrated into the side button. The phone can also be unlocked using an Apple Watch.

The folding mechanism uses a precision hinge made from more than 100 components, while the chassis is constructed from grade 5 titanium. Ceramic Shield protects the back, Ceramic Shield 2 covers the outer display, and the phone carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

A20 Pro powers Apple’s foldable

The iPhone Duo uses the same A20 Pro chip as the iPhone 18 Pro series.

Apple says its six core CPU is up to 20 percent faster than the A19 Pro, while its seven core GPU is up to 40 percent faster and more power efficient. A new Dual 16 core Neural Engine provides twice the compute performance for running AI models on the device.

The chip is manufactured using a 2 nanometre process and offers 50 percent more unified memory bandwidth. Apple has paired it with a custom vapor chamber to sustain performance during gaming, multitasking and AI workloads.

Cameras designed around the fold

The iPhone Duo has a 48MP Fusion Main camera with an optical quality 2x Telephoto and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera capable of macro photography.

The folding design enables several new shooting modes.

Duo Preview can display the camera preview on the outside screen so subjects can see how they are being framed. Users can also take selfies using the higher resolution rear cameras while previewing themselves on the outer display.

Smart Take uses on device AI to recognise when subjects are posing and automatically capture an image. Kid Cue displays Peanuts animations on the outer display to attract a child’s attention towards the camera.

The phone can also record 4K video at up to 120fps in Dolby Vision using its main camera.

iOS 27 adapts to a folding iPhone

Apple has redesigned parts of iOS 27 specifically for the Duo.

Opening the phone can display two Home Screen pages, while Split View allows two applications to run side by side. Users can open two windows of the same application, save app pairs and interact with Siri AI while continuing to use another app.

Apple says Netflix, Zoom and Slack are among the third party applications already adapting their interfaces for the larger folding display.

The Duo also gets Apple’s new Siri AI, which can use personal context, information displayed on screen and broader knowledge to answer questions and perform actions.

Dual batteries and eSIM only

Apple has placed a battery on each side of the iPhone Duo.

The company claims up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner screen and up to 44 hours using the outer display. When both screens are used equally, Apple estimates up to 24 hours of use per charge.

Fast charging can take the battery to 50 percent in around 20 minutes, while MagSafe or Qi2 wireless charging can reach 50 percent in around 30 minutes.

The Duo is also eSIM only worldwide. Apple’s N1 wireless chip provides Wi Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread, while the C2 cellular modem introduces AI assisted improvements to cellular connectivity.

The iPhone Duo will be available in star white and night sky, with prices starting at $1,999. Storage options range from 256GB through 512GB and 1TB to 2TB.

Unlike the iPhone 18 Pro models, buyers will have to wait longer for Apple’s foldable. Preorders begin October 16, with availability starting October 23.

Uber Leaves Nigeria and Uganda

By
GURU8 Staff
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0

Uber has confirmed it will shut down operations in both Nigeria and Uganda from September 2, 2026, in what is one of the most significant exits from African tech markets this year.

The decision, confirmed through an official spokesperson statement, is described as the result of a thorough review of business priorities and investment focus across the continent. Uber has been clear that the exit is limited strictly to these two markets and does not affect its operations elsewhere in Africa.

“After a thorough review, we have taken the difficult decision to wind down operations in Nigeria and Uganda, effective September 2, 2026,” the spokesperson said. “Uber remains deeply committed to Sub-Saharan Africa, where we continue to see robust growth and long-term opportunity.”

What Happens to Drivers and Riders

For drivers, Uber says it has already been in touch with active driver-partners and will extend a token of appreciation as they transition over the coming period. The company has not disclosed how many drivers or riders are affected in either market.

Rider support will remain available for 21 days after operations cease to assist with outstanding queries and transition-related matters.

Uber for Business customers in both countries will also see services discontinued, and Uber says it is in direct contact with business partners to support them through the process.

What About User Data

Rider data will continue to be handled in line with applicable data protection laws and Uber’s privacy policies. The company says it will limit data retention to what is legally required and maintain appropriate security controls. Riders who have questions about their personal data or wish to submit a privacy request can do so through Uber’s privacy inquiry portal at help.uber.com.

What This Means for Uganda

For Kampala specifically, Uber has been one of the more recognisable ride-hailing options in the city alongside local competitors. Its exit opens a clear lane for alternatives like Bolt and home-grown platforms that have been quietly building out their presence in the market.

Uber’s departure does not necessarily signal weakness in the Ugandan or Nigerian ride-hailing markets. The framing from Uber is one of strategic concentration, focusing resources on markets where it believes it can generate the most value for both drivers and riders at scale. What that means in practice is that two of Africa’s most populous and commercially active markets have been deemed lower priority than others.

Competitors operating in both countries will be watching this closely. A sudden absence of Uber from the market on September 2 means thousands of regular riders will need alternatives, and that is not a small opportunity.

Nigerian Startup Moove Is Now Worth $2.1 Billion and Is Betting Big on Self-Driving Cars

By
Brian Code
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0

A Nigerian startup that began by helping motorbike and taxi drivers own their vehicles has just become one of Africa’s most valuable tech companies, and its next chapter looks nothing like its first.

Moove has closed a $250 million Series C funding round that values the company at $2.1 billion, making it Africa’s newest unicorn. The round was led by Mubadala Investment Company, with Woven Capital, Toyota’s growth fund, and Ion Pacific as co-leads. New backers BlueCrest Capital Management, Sona Asset Management, and The Raptor Group joined, while existing investors including BlackRock, Uber, Franklin Templeton, and Endeavor Catalyst deepened their positions.

Founded in 2020 in Lagos by Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, Moove started out financing vehicles for ride-hailing drivers shut out of traditional credit, letting them pay through daily earnings. That model worked. The company has reached an annual recurring revenue run rate of $420 million, aided by organic expansion and acquisitions including Brazil-based Kovi and Tokyo Taxi in Japan.

Now Moove is pivoting hard toward autonomous vehicles. The capital is earmarked for Moove’s push into autonomous vehicle fleet ownership and the build-out of Nests, depot facilities where self-driving cars will be charged, serviced, and maintained. The company is already operating autonomous fleets in Phoenix and Miami in partnership with Waymo, and London is planned as its first international expansion.

Moove plans to grow its autonomous mobility workforce from around 150 employees to approximately 500 by the end of 2026.

The $250 million round is the second-largest equity funding round announced by an African startup in 2026, behind electric mobility company Spiro’s $270 million round in June. Together, the two rounds accounted for 44 percent of all equity funding raised by African startups in 2026 as of mid-August, highlighting the increasing concentration of capital in a small number of large, established technology companies.

Apple Just Dropped a New Mac Mini With Its Most Powerful Chip Yet

By
Boses Muhinda
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0

Apple launched a new Mac mini today, August 25, and this one is a significant jump from what came before.

The new Mac mini comes in two configurations: one with the all-new M6 chip and one with the M5 Pro, delivering what Apple describes as a massive leap in AI performance for always-on agentic computing.

The M6 chip brings a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, up from a 10-core CPU and GPU in M5, and features the first-ever dual Neural Engine with two 16-core engines, doubling the neural processing capacity of previous chips. That dual Neural Engine is the part Apple is most excited about. It is the foundation for running local AI agents, processing on-device Gemini and Siri requests, and handling the kind of background AI work that is becoming standard in macOS Golden Gate.

On top of the chip upgrade, the new Mac mini gains storage that is up to twice as fast, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and USB-C genlock support.

On pricing, Apple has raised the starting price by a further $100 from the June level, putting the M6 Mac mini at $899. Pre-orders are open today through the Apple Store, with units beginning to arrive to customers and appearing in Apple Store locations from September 22.

For creatives, developers, and small studios in Uganda and across East Africa who use Macs for production work, the Mac mini remains the most affordable entry point into Apple Silicon. At $899, it is still not cheap by local standards, but the performance jump and the Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 upgrades make this the most capable small desktop Apple has made.

Paratus Uganda becomes first provider to launch Starlink services in the country

By
Brian Code
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0

Paratus Uganda has become the first provider in the country to launch Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding and operational license agreement between the Uganda Communications Commission and Starlink on May 15, 2026.

The launch gives enterprise customers access to high speed, low latency satellite connectivity, particularly in remote and underserved areas where traditional telecommunications infrastructure remains limited.

Paratus Uganda, which launched last year as a joint venture between Paratus Group and Kampala based ISP ROKE TELKOM, has built its connectivity offering around resilient infrastructure, including the 2,000 kilometre protected Goma to Mombasa (G2M) route.

The addition of Starlink expands the company’s portfolio, combining satellite connectivity with Paratus Group’s East West Southern Africa backbone, redundancy solutions and other network services.

The company says it is already activating a pipeline of customers across sectors including mining, healthcare, tourism, NGOs and government. These organisations often operate in locations where dependable terrestrial connectivity can be difficult to deploy.

“There has been significant demand for LEO services from enterprise customers who have been waiting for Starlink to become available in Uganda,” said Edwin Kyambadde, Country Manager of Paratus Uganda. “Now that Starlink is licensed, the hard work begins as we connect customers across the country.”

Kyambadde described the service as a major addition to Paratus Uganda’s network, particularly for businesses operating beyond the reach of traditional connectivity infrastructure.

For Paratus Group, the launch also strengthens its broader strategy of building a multi layered connectivity network across Africa.

Martin Cox, Chief Commercial Officer at Paratus Group, said the approval makes Uganda the ninth African country where the group offers Starlink services.

“Satellite plays a critical role in extending our reach into areas where terrestrial infrastructure is limited,” Cox said. “With Starlink now available through Paratus Uganda, we can offer customers not only in Uganda but also across the East African region even greater resilience, faster deployment and truly borderless connectivity.”

The partnership comes as satellite internet becomes an increasingly important option for extending broadband access to areas where fibre and other terrestrial infrastructure can be expensive or difficult to deploy.

For businesses operating in remote parts of Uganda, Starlink could provide another connectivity layer while allowing providers such as Paratus to combine satellite services with existing terrestrial networks for greater redundancy and resilience.

The launch also marks another step in Uganda’s expansion of satellite based internet services, giving enterprises more options for maintaining reliable connectivity across the country.

Ticketmaster backs Quicket in Uganda as part of East Africa Expansion

By
Ivan Musiime
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0

Global ticketing company Ticketmaster is launching in Uganda through Quicket, as part of long-term investment in East Africa’s live entertainment industry.

Backed by Ticketmaster’s global reach, Quicket brings a platform purpose-built for Uganda’s market. Fully digital ticketing will help reduce fraud and speed up fan entry, while local payment integrations with Airtel Money and MTN Mobilewill make buying tickets simpler and more accessible.

At the heart of the platform is the ability to meet fans where they already are. Africa’s 1.6 billion people are the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, with a generation of fans increasingly discovering, sharing, and buying through their phones. Through global event distribution across Spotify, Google, Meta, Bandsintown, and Apple Music, Quicket puts events directly into the places where fans already discover artists, music, and live experiences – helping organisers reach new audiences and turning discovery into ticket sales.

That same focus on meeting fans where they are is shaping what comes next. Quicket is developing WhatsApp-based ticketing to bring event discovery and purchase closer to fans’ everyday conversations, alongside AI-powered tools that will make it easier to find and buy tickets.

Quicket is already working with some of Uganda’s leading events and experience brands, including Spinny and Friends, Kampala’s popular Afro-House party, and the Masaza Cup, Uganda’s regional football tournament, helping connect them with wider audiences through its ticketing and discovery capabilities.

John Masembe, Business Operation Director at Quicket, said: “Spend a weekend in Kampala and you can feel the energy immediately. From packed Afro-House nights to major sporting events and live performances, Uganda has a vibrant and growing culture of shared experiences. Live entertainment is deeply woven into everyday life, and fans are showing a huge appetite for coming together.

“Quicket and Ticketmaster’s role is to help build the infrastructure behind that momentum, making it easier for organisers, artists, and venues to grow, connect with audiences, and scale live experiences across Uganda.”

Justin Van Wyk, Managing Director of Ticketmaster South Africa, said: “Uganda is an exciting live entertainment market, with a young, mobile-first audience and a growing community of organisers, artists, and venues creating experiences for fans across the country. Quicket has the local knowledge and relationships to serve that market well.

“Our role is to back that expertise with Ticketmaster’s global scale, giving Event Organisers, artists, and fans in Uganda the same market-leading ticketing experience audiences expect anywhere in the world. We’re excited about the opportunity to support the continued growth of Uganda’s live entertainment ecosystem.”

The expansion formalises Quicket’s long-standing presence in East Africa. Since 2016, the company has worked with its local partners, building close to a decade of on-the-ground experience, local relationships and field-services capability across the region.

For more information about Quicket and Ticketmaster, please visit Quicket and Ticketmaster.

Apple overhauls EU App Store rules with new fees and payment options

By
Ivan Musiime
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0

Apple is changing its App Store business terms in the European Union in another major adjustment aimed at addressing its ongoing disagreements with the European Commission over app distribution and payment systems.

The new rules will take effect on October 1, 2026, and will move developers operating in the EU to a single set of business terms. The changes will also introduce a 5 percent Core Technology Commission on digital transactions made through apps distributed outside the App Store.

Under the new terms, apps distributed through Apple’s App Store that use Apple’s in-app purchase system will be subject to a 26 percent commission. Developers that use alternative payment providers will pay a 20 percent commission, while purchases that direct users to an external website will carry a 15 percent commission.

Apple says reduced rates will be available to developers participating in programs such as the App Store Small Business Program, Mini Apps Partner Program and Video Partner Program.

Developers in the EU will also be able to offer Apple’s payment system alongside alternative payment methods. However, once developers select their payment options, they will have to maintain those choices for 12 months.

The new structure also removes several existing fees. Apple will no longer charge the initial acquisition fee, store services fee or its previous Core Technology Fee, which charged developers €0.50 for each annual installation after an app passed one million downloads.

Apple will continue allowing developers to distribute apps through third party app stores and directly from the web in the EU. However, web distribution remains subject to Apple’s eligibility requirements, including conditions for companies operating third party app marketplaces.

The changes come after years of tension between Apple and European regulators over the company’s App Store policies. Apple previously changed its rules to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, but has continued to challenge aspects of the regulation.

The European Commission previously fined Apple after finding that its App Store anti steering practices violated the Digital Markets Act. Apple also recently lost an attempt to exclude the App Store and iOS from the scope of the DMA.

The updated rules will also introduce additional protections for younger users. Children’s apps will not be allowed to include links to websites for completing transactions, while apps will not be permitted to direct users under 13 to external websites to make purchases.

Users under 18 will also require permission from a parent or guardian when attempting to make a purchase through an alternative payment method inside an App Store app.

The changes represent another significant step in Apple’s effort to balance its tightly controlled App Store ecosystem with the European Union’s push for greater competition and consumer choice.

macOS Tahoe 26.7 hints at several upcoming Apple devices

By
Brian Code
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0

Apple’s latest macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate appears to contain references to a number of unreleased products, offering clues about what the company could launch over the coming months.

The software, released to developers on August 17, contains references to upcoming iPhones, Macs, iPads, AirPods and several home devices. Some of the product identifiers have appeared in previous Apple software, while others are showing up for the first time.

Among the most notable references are Apple’s upcoming home products. The code includes J490 and J491, believed to be two versions of Apple’s long-rumoured home hub. One is reportedly designed with a base, while the other could be mounted on a wall.

The software also references a new HomePod mini, identified by the B525 codename, alongside an unidentified home accessory carrying the J229 identifier. Previous reports have linked J229 to a device with multiple sensors that could detect sounds such as alarms and capture images, raising the possibility that it could be related to Apple’s rumoured smart home security camera.

Another reference to “Pebble” appears in the software. Bloomberg has previously reported that Pebble is Apple’s internal codename for homeOS, the operating system expected to power the company’s upcoming smart home products.

The code also points to new AirPods. A device identified as B790 is reportedly an AirPods model equipped with a camera, although it appears to be separate from another camera-equipped AirPods project expected further down the line.

There are also references to what could be the fourth-generation AirPods Pro, identified as AirPodsPro1,4. The current AirPods Pro 3 use the AirPodsPro1,3 identifier.

iPhone 18 and the next iPhone Air

Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup is also referenced in macOS Tahoe 26.7.

The software includes identifiers believed to correspond to the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 and Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to arrive in September, alongside the iPhone Ultra.

The iPhone Air 2 is also referenced, although that model is not expected until spring 2027. The standard iPhone 18 is similarly expected to arrive later than the Pro models.

On the Mac side, the software references a new 14-inch MacBook Pro carrying the J804 identifier. The model is expected to receive an M6 chip later this year.

Two new iMac identifiers, J833 and J834, also appear in the code. Additional identifiers could belong to future MacBook Pro models, including higher-end machines that may feature OLED displays.

Apple’s next iPad mini is also referenced through the J510 and J511 identifiers. The next-generation tablet has previously been rumoured to feature an OLED display and an A19 Pro chip.

There is even a reference to N109, an unreleased headset that has previously been associated with a second-generation Vision Pro. Other reports have suggested the identifier could instead relate to a lower-cost Vision Pro model, although Apple has not confirmed either product.

The software also contains a reference to a new Apple TV remote, suggesting Apple could be preparing an updated accessory for a future Apple TV.

Apple Intelligence in China

macOS Tahoe 26.7 also contains references to Apple Intelligence features coming to China, including Writing Tools.

The code suggests that some content could be restricted after triggering Apple’s safety systems, preventing users from editing certain types of text with Apple Intelligence. MacRumors

The discovery comes as Apple continues working to expand Apple Intelligence in China, where the company has faced additional regulatory requirements.

While software references do not guarantee that a product will launch, Apple’s use of specific internal identifiers provides useful clues about products currently being developed or tested.

The first products expected to emerge from these references are the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Ultra, which are expected to be announced in September. Other products, including the new Macs, iPad mini and home accessories, could arrive later in the year, potentially during additional Apple launches in October or November.

Apple reportedly develops its own AI model for China with help from Alibaba

By
GURU8 Staff
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0

Apple is reportedly developing a proprietary large language model for the Chinese market as it works to bring Apple Intelligence to users in the country.

According to Reuters, Apple has trained its own AI model with assistance from Chinese technology company Alibaba. The move represents a shift from Apple’s earlier approach of relying on domestic third party AI models to power Apple Intelligence features in China.

Apple has been working to bring Apple Intelligence to China, but the rollout has faced regulatory hurdles. The company’s latest approach is reportedly designed to give Apple greater control over its AI technology while meeting China’s regulatory requirements.

The company is expected to begin rolling out its AI features in China in the coming months. The approach has been described as a dual track strategy, allowing Apple to use its own model while working with local technology partners to navigate the country’s AI regulations.

Alibaba plays a key role in Apple’s AI plans for China. Apple had previously agreed with Chinese regulators to incorporate Alibaba’s Qwen model into Apple Intelligence features, similar to how Apple integrates ChatGPT into Apple Intelligence in other markets.

Apple briefly published a support document in China explaining how Mac users could connect Alibaba’s Qwen AI with features such as Siri and Writing Tools. The guide was later removed less than a day after it appeared.

The reported development of Apple’s own model could give the company more control over the technology powering Apple Intelligence in China, while still allowing it to work with local partners to meet regulatory requirements.

The move would also make Apple the first foreign company approved by the Chinese government to offer a proprietary AI model in the country, according to the report cited by MacRumors.

Apple’s AI rollout in China is particularly important as the company looks to expand Apple Intelligence globally. While the service has already been introduced in other markets, regulatory requirements have made China a more complicated market for foreign AI providers.

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