Apple news

• CarPlay could soon support third-party AI voice assistants like ChatGPT

  06-02-2026 21:26 via appleinsider.com
  CarPlay could soon support more than just Siri, as Apple explores wider access for third-party voice tools.
  Apple may open CarPlay to third-party AI assistants
  It looks as though Apple is gearing up to allow third-party chatbots on CarPlay. This would allow users to query voice-enabled chatbots directly through the CarPlay interface.Until now, Apple has kept voice assistants off CarPlay, save for its first-party assistant, Siri. However, with the slow rollout of the new, more personal Siri, Appl
  
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• Blowout AirTag deals deliver prices as low as $17, discounts up to 41% off

  06-02-2026 19:51 via appleinsider.com
  With the release of the AirTag 2, Amazon is clearing out last-gen AirTags with discounts of up to 41% off.
  Get an AirTag for just $17 during today's sale - Image credit: Apple
  AirTag deals have dropped prices to as low as $17 heading into the weekend, as retailers clear out last-gen inventory to make way for the 2nd Generation AirTag. You can grab a single pack for $17 at Amazon, with the 4-pack marked down to $64.
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• Capitol Hill probe spotlights claims Apple and Google were pushed to block ICE-monitoring apps

  06-02-2026 18:49 via appleinsider.com
  The removal of an ICE-monitoring app almost a year ago has triggered new questions about whether the US Department of Justice crossed a constitutional line in its dealings with Apple and Google.
  How ICEBlock appeared in the App Store before being pulled
  On Friday, House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin vowed to investigate the Department of Justice over allegations that it pressured tech giants into removing ICE tracking apps.In a letter addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Ra
  
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• Applications are now open for the 2026 Swift Student Challenge -- but hurry

  06-02-2026 18:24 via appleinsider.com
  Aiming to encourage app development and celebrate the most creative participants, Apple's Swift Student Challenge is back and the winners will get to visit Apple Park.
  Apple's 2026 Swift Student Challenge is open for applications — image credit: Apple
  As it has done now every year since 2020, Apple is running a Swift Student Challenge. Applications for the contest to find innovative new app developers are open now and close on February 28, 2026.Applications are sought from students working
  
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• iPhone 18 Pro Max battery life to increase again -- but not by much

  06-02-2026 16:52 via appleinsider.com
  A new iPhone 18 Pro Max leak claims that will see the smallest year-over-year battery capacity increase in years, although the final use figures depends more on the power efficiency of the A20 processor.
  The iPhone 18 Pro Max should see an improvement in battery life
  Recent rumors have claimed that the expected iPhone Fold will have the largest-capacity battery the iPhone has ever had. But dubious leaks specifying a capacity figure claim it will be a 5,000mAh battery, and now the iPhone 18 Pro M
  
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• How to factory reset AirTag 2

  06-02-2026 16:22 via appleinsider.com
  Whether you're handing off an AirTag or trying to resolve pairing issues, knowing how to properly reset Apple's item tracker ensures you can set it up on a new iPhone easily.
  How to factory reset a second generation AirTag
  Every AirTag can be associated with only a single Apple Account. If you want to gift your AirTag to another person, you'll need to reset it. While this does take a little effort, the whole process can be done in a about a minute.Before you get started, we highly recommend that
  
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• Apple Watch Ultra 3 Deals Are Slim Right Now but We Found the Best Trade-Ins That Knock the Price Down

  06-02-2026 16:01 via cnet.com
  With direct discounts drying up, trade-in offers are where the real savings are hiding.
  
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• Apple Vision Pro anniversary, Gemini confusion, and iPhone Flip on the AppleInsider Podcast

  06-02-2026 15:12 via appleinsider.com
  How the Apple Vision Pro has and has not moved forward in two years, plus what's going on with Gemini and Siri, and what comes after the iPhone Fold, on the AppleInsider Podcast.
  Apple Vision Pro seemed like the future, but for the present, it's past its launch halo. And instead eyes are turning to the iPhone Fold and its different forms
  It's a week of looking back, forward, but as it turns out, not suspiciously. For despite reports of Apple and Google making contradictory statements about the t
  
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• Swift Student Challenge submissions are now open

  06-02-2026 15:00 via developer.apple.com
  The Swift Student Challenge is here! Submissions are now open through February 28, and students from all over the world are invited to submit their app playgrounds.Learn more about the ChallengeKey things to know
  No prior experience is needed. The Challenge is open to students of all levels who meet the eligibility requirements.
  The Challenge is free to enter — all you need is access to a Mac or iPad with Xcode or Swift Playground.
  Your app playground can be on any topic of your choice. Th
  
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• Apple Health+ scaled back internally, new focus on incremental improvement

  06-02-2026 14:12 via appleinsider.com
  The Apple Intelligence-powered Health+ service is reportedly being scaled back now that Eddy Cue is in charge, and will focus on getting features to users sooner with smaller releases.
  Apple Health to get multiple smaller feature updates soon
  Apple has never announced Health+ or plans for the initiative, but leaks surrounding the project suggested some kind of AI chat interface was going to be offered. Users would be able to discuss their health data and be directed to professional videos explai
  
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• These Are My Pro Tips for Amazing iPhone Photos

  06-02-2026 14:00 via cnet.com
  Your phone is capable of taking incredible photos. Here's how to get the best from its camera.
  
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• One song can ruin your entire Apple Music algorithm & there needs to be a fix

  06-02-2026 13:24 via appleinsider.com
  Users shouldn't be afraid of exploring music or letting their kids choose a song, but since Apple Music lacks manual algorithm controls, one wrong song can upend your recommendations for weeks.
  Apple Music is great except when you accidentally poison your algorithm
  Apple Music is debatably the best option for music streaming, especially for those committed to the Apple ecosystem. However, as great as the app and human curation aspects can be, there is a fatal flaw that requires users to either a
  
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• Inside Live Translation on FaceTime on iOS 26

  06-02-2026 13:20 via appleinsider.com
  After a few years of rumors about the feature, Apple added live translated captions to FaceTime in iOS 26, allowing one-on-one calls to display real-time subtitles spanning languages. Here's where to find live translation in FaceTime, and how it came to be.FaceTime
  Live translation in FaceTime is a big new feature, but many users don't even know it's there. That's because Apple doesn't make it clear or easy to find as a translation option.Plus, the translation feature isn't found under Apple Int
  
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• Best Mobile VPN of 2026: Enjoy Privacy Protection on the Go

  06-02-2026 13:00 via cnet.com
  Boost your privacy with the best mobile VPNs for Androids and iPhones so you can stream foreign Netflix libraries, bypass mobile traffic-shaping or stay private on public Wi-Fi.
  
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• Grab a MacBook Air from just $389 heading into Super Bowl weekend

  06-02-2026 01:29 via appleinsider.com
  Steep discounts on Apple's MacBook Air have driven prices down to as low as $389.99 heading into the weekend.
  Grab a MacBook Air from just $389.
  Walmart seller VIPOutlet has blowout inventory of Apple's M1 MacBook Air 13-inch for $389 while supplies last. This seller has a 4-star rating with 23,495 total reviews at press time. While the system has 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage, the budget-friendly price makes it a viable system for casual use like web browsing and streaming content.Buy M1 M
  
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• Apple Health+ scaled back internally, will focus on incremental features instead

  06-02-2026 01:20 via appleinsider.com
  The Apple Intelligence-powered Health+ service is reportedly being scaled back now that Eddy Cue is in charge, and will focus on getting features to users sooner with smaller releases.
  Apple Health to get multiple smaller feature updates soon
  Apple has never announced Health+ or plans for the initiative, but leaks surrounding the project suggested some kind of AI chat interface was going to be offered. Users would be able to discuss their health data and be directed to professional videos explai
  
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• watchOS 11.6.2 out with a key fix for Apple Watch users in Australia

  06-02-2026 00:36 via appleinsider.com
  Those who have not upgraded to watchOS 26 can now install watchOS 11, which fixes an issue that prevented calls to emergency services in Australia.
  watchOS 11.6.2 is now available for download.
  Following the debut of the iOS 26.3 release candidate and minor updates for older operating systems, a new watchOS update has been made available for select Apple Watch models.watchOS 11.6.2 resolves a cellular network issue that occurs "when establishing a connection to emergency services in Australia,"
  
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• Tim Cook reflects on Apple's 50 years and retirement coming for us all

  06-02-2026 00:35 via appleinsider.com
  Apple is set to mark its fiftieth anniversary in April 2026, and the iPhone maker's CEO promised employees that a celebration would take place.
  Apple CEO Tim Cook gets reflective as he approaches retirement. Image source: Apple
  On Thursday, during a meeting where he promised to lobby lawmakers on immigration policy, Tim Cook took the opportunity to reflect on the nearly five decades of Apple. The company has come a long way, and its CEO revealed there have been discussions about what to do to ma
  
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• The Best iPhone 17 Cases for 2026

  06-02-2026 00:29 via cnet.com
  I've tested dozens of iPhone 17,iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air cases. Here are my current top picks, complete with mini reviews of each case.
  
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• How to get your 2026 Apple Music Replay playlist

  06-02-2026 00:25 via appleinsider.com
  It's not just Spotify that has a year-end wrap-up feature — Apple Music does too, and it's year round! Here's how to get your Apple Music Replay playlist, today.
  Apple Music Replay 2026
  Spotify has a unique feature called Spotify Wrapped that shows off your top artists, songs, and genres of the year. It is a trendy function that gets shared all over social media at the end of each year, but Apple Music fans need not miss out. In fact, the 2025 Replay playlist has already been released and
  
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