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iOS 27 has been released with new features beyond Siri AI and Apple Intelligence, including unspecified non-AI features. The update is now available to everyone. The article highlights some of the author's favorite non-AI features in iOS 27.
Why it matters: Readers can learn about some of the lesser-known features in iOS 27.
The AppleInsider Podcast discussed the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and Apple Watch Series 12. The hosts shared their impressions of the new devices and discussed their features, including the variable aperture and larger sensors. The podcast also covered the OS 27 updates and the impact on developers and users.
Why it matters: The podcast provides insight into the latest Apple devices and their features, which can help readers make informed decisions when considering purchasing or upgrading to these devices.
Apple's Fifth Avenue cube in New York City has been temporarily closed and decorated with colors matching the iPhone 18 Pro's colorways, ahead of the device's release. The cube will reopen at 8 A.M. Eastern. The decorations feature burgundy, silver, and glacier colors, with the black colorway missing.
Why it matters: The decoration is a visual representation of the iPhone 18 Pro's color options and may attract attention from potential customers.
Apple has released a dedicated Siri app that allows for longer conversations and improved interaction with the assistant. The app is available on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, and visionOS 27, with watchOS 27 support coming in a future beta. Users can access their conversational history across supported devices using iCloud.
Why it matters: This update provides users with a more convenient way to manage and revisit conversations with Siri, potentially improving productivity and user experience.
Apple has started delivering the iPhone 18 Pro to customers in the earliest time zones, with deliveries expected to roll out in Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America over the next few days. The iPhone 18 Pro is available for in-store pickup and walk-in purchases at Apple Stores. Customers are sharing their first impressions and photos of the device on social media.
Why it matters: This marks the beginning of the iPhone 18 Pro's availability to the general public, allowing customers to experience the new device firsthand.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max feature a new variable aperture lens on their main camera, allowing for more control over depth of field and improved low-light performance. The variable aperture can be adjusted manually or automatically. The lens has a four-stop range, from f/1.48 to f/4.0.
Why it matters: This feature allows photographers to achieve better results in low-light conditions and have more creative control over their images.
Apple has released the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 in stores worldwide. The new products are available for purchase at Apple Store locations, online at apple.com, and through the Apple Store app. Customers can explore the new lineup with the help of Apple Specialists.
Why it matters: The release of new Apple products may be of interest to customers who are due for an upgrade or are looking to purchase new devices.
A judge has denied OpenAI's request to reveal the terms of the settlement between Apple and SpaceXAI, citing the confidential nature of the agreement. The lawsuit was filed by Elon Musk's SpaceXAI against Apple and OpenAI, alleging anticompetitive collusion. The settlement was reached after Musk accused Apple of manipulating App Store charts to favor OpenAI's ChatGPT over his own AI models.
Why it matters: The outcome of this case may have implications for the tech industry's approach to antitrust laws and competition.
Apple has published a detailed breakdown of the new features in Safari 27.0, including the Safari MCP server, which allows AI agents to control the browser window. The MCP server provides access to the DOM, network requests, screenshots, and console output. Safari 27.0 also fixes nearly 850 issues and introduces support for immersive environments and the HTML <model> element.
Why it matters: Developers can use the Safari MCP server to improve their workflow and automate tasks, making it easier to work with coding agents.
Apple has released the iPhone 18 Pro, marking the 20th generation of flagship iPhones. The new model features a variable aperture main camera. The iPhone 18 Pro was released alongside the iPhone Duo, a new device that received the most attention in Apple's announcement.
Why it matters: The iPhone 18 Pro's release highlights the changing naming conventions and product lineup of Apple's flagship iPhones.
WhatsApp is rolling out a new in-chat search button to iPhone users, allowing them to search for messages within a conversation without leaving the chat. The button appears at the top of the screen when users scroll up through the conversation and disappears when they return to the bottom. The new search button is available in individual chats, group chats, and channels.
Why it matters: This feature aims to streamline the search process for users, making it easier to find specific messages within a conversation.
A US judge has rejected OpenAI's request to see the confidential settlement agreement between X and SpaceXAI and Apple in an ongoing antitrust lawsuit. The agreement was reached after X and SpaceXAI accused Apple and OpenAI of colluding to shut out competing AI apps from the App Store. The judge found that the agreement does not contain information relevant to the remaining case against OpenAI.
Why it matters: This decision means that OpenAI will not have access to potentially relevant information in its ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Apple.
Apple maintained its lead in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) market with 16.8 million shipments in Q2 2026, a 1.2% increase from the same period in 2025. The company's market share was 20.5%, with Xiaomi in second place at 10.4%. The TWS market declined 0.7% year over year.
Why it matters: The report highlights the ongoing competition in the TWS market and the growing interest in open-ear earbuds.
Apple will use 14 iPhone 18 Pro models to capture the 'Friday Night Baseball' game between the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers. The iPhones will be stationed around Dodger Stadium to provide unique vantage points. This is the final game of the 'Friday Night Baseball' schedule.
Why it matters: This technology showcases the capabilities of the iPhone 18 Pro's cameras and variable aperture.
Apple challenged the UK government's refusal to confirm whether it has issued an order requiring the company to provide access to encrypted user data. The hearing was focused on the secrecy surrounding the order, not on whether the government was legally entitled to demand access to Apple's encrypted data. The UK government has maintained a policy of neither confirming nor denying the existence of individual orders.
Why it matters: This case highlights the tension between government demands for access to encrypted data and the importance of transparency and public discussion of such issues.
Meta AI has launched a new personal AI agent called Muse, available on iPhone and Mac, which can handle tasks and be customized with a name and avatar. The app is free upfront but has weekly limitations, with paying customers able to unlock higher access. The Mac app is available through the web and allows users to control what the agent can access.
Why it matters: This launch provides users with an alternative to other AI agents and assistants, such as Siri and Grok Bot.
macOS 27 Golden Gate introduces various improvements to the Photos app, including Apple Intelligence-powered editing, new organization and sharing tools, and a rebuilt search foundation. The Photos app now features a new Tools pane with editing options, including a Clean Up tool and an Extend tool. iCloud Shared Albums now support full-resolution sharing and can be accessed by users outside the Apple ecosystem.
Why it matters: These updates enhance the overall user experience and provide more flexibility and control over photo organization and sharing.
Apple is hosting a photography exhibition in New York City to showcase the iPhone 18 Pro camera. The exhibition, titled 'What Holds Us', features work from three photographers who used the iPhone 18 Pro to capture images of people, places, and ideas that connect humanity. The exhibition runs from September 18 to 20 at 456 West 18th Street in New York City.
Why it matters: The exhibition demonstrates the capabilities of the iPhone 18 Pro camera and its potential for creative photography.
Apple has updated its service prices for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, with out-of-warranty battery replacement costing $129, a $10 increase from previous models. The new prices apply to the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, which have larger batteries than their predecessors. The prices are listed on Apple's support page for service and repair.
Why it matters: This price increase may affect iPhone owners who need to replace their batteries outside of warranty.
Chance Miller has been testing the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12 for a week, providing hands-on reviews. Apple has released its new operating systems, including macOS Golden Gate. Apple is rumored to be developing its own game controllers for iPhone.
Why it matters: The new operating systems and potential game controllers may impact the future of Apple's ecosystem and gaming capabilities.
iOS 27 includes new Apple Intelligence features for iCloud+ subscribers, with higher usage limits compared to free users. These features include image generation and AI video descriptions for compatible Home cameras. The new features are available with most iCloud+ subscription plans, excluding the cheapest $0.99/month plan.
Why it matters: iCloud+ subscribers can now access more advanced AI features without hitting daily usage limits.
Readdle updated PDF Expert for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, adding handwriting recognition in 29 languages and expanding Apple Pencil support. The update also includes a squeeze gesture feature for the Apple Pencil Pro and a redesigned interface with a Liquid Glass look. PDF Expert Premium users can now use handwriting recognition and library-wide search.
Why it matters: This update makes it easier for users to work with handwritten notes and annotations in PDF Expert, improving productivity and organization.
macOS 27 has been released, featuring an improved and integrated Siri experience, with Siri now accessible through Spotlight search and a dedicated app, allowing for follow-up questions and more natural interactions.
Why it matters: This update brings a more conversational and user-friendly Siri experience to Mac users, making it easier to access and interact with the virtual assistant.
Photographer Austin Mann reviewed the iPhone 18 Pro camera, highlighting its new features such as variable aperture, manual focus, and Photographic Styles 3. Mann recommends using the camera's auto-aperture feature and shares tips for achieving a film-like look. The review also covers other features like Focus Tracking and 4K time-lapse.
Why it matters: The review provides practical advice for photographers and iPhone users on how to get the best out of the new camera features.
OWC's SoftRAID 9 has been updated to include RAID 6 and RAID 6+ protection, which can survive two simultaneous drive failures. The new features require macOS 27 and a SoftRAID Premium subscription. The update also adds support for encrypted APFS RAID volumes on Windows.
Why it matters: The new RAID modes provide additional fault-tolerance options for users with high-capacity storage needs, particularly those working with large archives or high-throughput workloads.
David Pogue tested 125 requests with the new Siri AI in iOS 27, finding that it succeeded in almost every case. The new Siri AI can perform a wide range of tasks, including generating lists from Mail, Messages, and Reminders, and deleting alarms. Pogue's test results are available on his Substack post.
Why it matters: The upgrade to Siri AI in iOS 27 may encourage users to rely on the assistant for more tasks, potentially increasing productivity and convenience.
Ron Johnson, former Apple SVP of Retail, discussed the origins of the Apple Store, his time working with Steve Jobs, and the launch of the iPhone in a podcast interview. Johnson also shared his thoughts on Apple's current retail strategy and the iPhone Duo. The interview was part of a podcast called 9to5Mac Overtime. Johnson's new book, Shop Different: How Retail Revealed Apple’s Genius, was also mentioned.
Why it matters: The interview provides insight into the early days of Apple's retail strategy and the development of the Apple Store.
Apple TV has released trailers for two upcoming premieres: Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars season 2 and the movie Tenzing. Knife Edge is a culinary docuseries that follows 16 restaurants as they strive for a Michelin star, while Tenzing is a biographical drama about the first person to summit Mount Everest. Both titles are set to premiere in the fall. Apple TV has also released a fall schedule for upcoming premieres. Apple TV is available for $14.99 per month or through the Apple One bundle.
Why it matters: The new releases offer Apple TV subscribers more content to watch, including a documentary series and a biographical drama.
Reviewers praise the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 for improved health tracking and battery life, but raise concerns about Audio Intelligence features and potential privacy issues. The Apple Watch Series 12 features a new S11 chip, redesigned health sensors, and more frequent heart-rate and HRV measurements. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 pairs the new S11 chip with improved health sensors and up to 50 hours of battery life.
Why it matters: These updates may be significant for users who prioritize health tracking and battery life in their wearable devices.
David Pogue tested the new AI Siri in 125 tests, finding it to be quite good but not perfect. The AI assistant can replace most Google searches and ChatGPT interactions, saving users time and effort. Pogue notes that the hardest part is remembering to use Siri.
Why it matters: This update could significantly reduce the need for users to open multiple apps and perform manual searches.
