O'Grady's PowerPage

  • Apple states its commitment to deliver an updated, revamped Siri in 2026

    Apple states its commitment to deliver an updated, revamped Siri in 2026

    Apple has stuck to its previous promise that a smarter, more capable version of its Siri assistant will debut in 2026. Per MacRumors, the company stated this to CNBC on Thursday, only one day after Bloomberg reported Apple is having issues with the updated version of ‌Siri‌, leading to potential delays of the feature.

    While Apple didn’t offer a more specific timeline than “2026,” Bloomberg noted that the company was aiming to include a significant Siri update in iOS 26.4, with an update planned around spring 2026. Bloomberg’s latest report suggests the ‌Siri‌ functionality will not be ready in time to be included in iOS 26.4, so the new features could be pushed to iOS 26.5 or iOS 27.

    During the June 2024 WWDC, Apple previewed three new Siri features in the form of onscreen awareness, personal context, and the ability to do more in and between apps. The company also seems to have started working on additional ‌Siri‌ features like image generation and a tool for searching the web.

    During testing, Siri’s performance was hit or miss in processing queries properly, and the system could take too long to respond to requests. Where some features didn’t work as intended, new features began slowly rolling out via updates. There are still several iOS 26 updates planned for 2026, and iOS 27 will launch in September 2026.

    Apple provided CNBC with a statement because the company’s stock dropped five percent on Thursday, due to the ‌Siri‌ delay rumors and FTC scrutiny over Apple News.

    Apple is likely to release the first beta of iOS 26.4 later this month, which may offer additional insight as to where it stands with Siri.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and CNBC

  • Apple releases iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3 updates

    Apple releases iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3 updates

    It was a day of updates on Wednesday with Apple releasing its long-awaited iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 updates for the iPhone and iPad, respectively.

    The iOS 26.3 update includes the following fixes and changes:

    • Transfer to Android: A new native tool located in Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone allows for direct data migration (photos, messages, notes, apps, and passwords) to an Android device without needing a third-party app.
    • Limit Precise Location: Users can now restrict cellular carriers from seeing their exact street address, limiting them to a “neighborhood” level instead.
      Requirement: Requires a device with an Apple C1 or C1X modem (iPhone 16e, iPhone Air, or M5 iPad Pro).
    • Carrier Support: Currently limited to specific carriers like Boost Mobile (US), EE/BT (UK), and AIS/True (Thailand).
    • Notification Forwarding (EU Only): To comply with the Digital Markets Act, EU users can now forward iPhone notifications to third-party smartwatches and wearables via a new toggle in Settings > Notifications.
    • Weather Wallpaper Gallery: The Astronomy and Weather wallpaper sections have been split. Weather now has its own dedicated category with three new preset layout options.
    • Security Fixes: Addresses over 35 vulnerabilities, including a critical flaw in the dyld dynamic link editor that was reportedly used in targeted attacks.
    • Encrypted RCS: The system code is now prepared to support end-to-end encryption for RCS messages, though this requires upcoming carrier-side activation.
    • Proximity Pairing (EU Only): Enables “one-tap” pairing for third-party headphones and accessories, similar to the AirPods experience.

    The iPadOS 26.3 update includes the following fixes and changes:

    • Security Updates: Addresses multiple vulnerabilities, including a dyld dynamic link editor bug that allowed arbitrary code execution, and a Lock Screen bypass issue in Photos.
    • Wallpaper Updates: The ‘Weather & Astronomy’ section is now split, allowing for better organization and new font/widget options for live weather wallpapers.
    • Privacy Setting: A new “Limit Precise Location” option is available, which restricts cellular network access to exact user locations, allowing them to see only a general area (e.g., neighborhood) instead of a specific address.
    • Bug Fixes: Resolved issues with App Store installations, non-connectivity Car Consortium (CCC) digital key pairing, and EPUB highlight colors in Books.

    As usual, the updates can be located, downloaded, and installed by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update.

    If you’ve had a chance to try the updates, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via developer.apple.com

  • Apple releases macOS Tahoe 26.3 update, homes in on bug fixes and security updates

    Apple releases macOS Tahoe 26.3 update, homes in on bug fixes and security updates

    It’s not the biggest update in the world, but it should come in handy.

    Apple on Wednesday released its macOS Tahoe 26.3 update. The update arrives two months after the arrival of the macOS Tahoe 26.2 update, and per Apple’s release notes, focuses on bug fixes and security updates rather than new features.

    In the next couple of weeks, Apple will begin testing ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4, an update that is expected to be much more feature packed. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 could include new Siri functionality and new emoji, among other features.

    As usual, the update can be located, downloaded, and installed by opening up the System Settings app and navigating to the Software Update section.

    If you’ve had a chance to try the macOS Tahoe 26.3 update, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via MacRumors

  • Developer Nick Ustinov releases Itsytv, a free Apple TV Remote app for the Mac

    Developer Nick Ustinov releases Itsytv, a free Apple TV Remote app for the Mac

    This is nifty.

    While Apple offers an Apple TV Remote app for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, it doesn’t offer one for the Mac. As such, developer Nick Ustinov stepped in and built Itsytv, a free macOS app for controlling your Apple TV.

    The application functions as a menu bar app that allows you to control your Apple TV and offers volume control, playback control, application launching, and other features.

    Here’s an overview of features:

    • Native macOS: Built with Swift and SwiftUI — no Electron, no web views. Runs silently in your menu bar.
    • App launcher: Browse all installed Apple TV apps in a grid with App Store icons. Launch any app in one click.
    • Navigate with keyboard: Arrow keys, Return, Space, Escape — control your Apple TV without touching the mouse.
    • Text input: Type search queries and passwords on your Mac keyboard instead of pecking letters on the TV screen.
    • Now playing: See what’s playing with album artwork, title, artist, and a live progress bar in your menu bar.
    • Multi-device: Pair multiple Apple TVs on your network and switch between them instantly.
    • Secure: End-to-end encrypted communication with your Apple TV. Pairing credentials stored securely in Keychain.

    Itsytv requires macOS 14 Sonoma to install and run.

    If you’ve had a chance to try Itsytv, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via 9to5Mac, Itsytv.app, and Itsy Github

  • Apple Watch SE 3, other models marked down in week-long Amazon sale

    Apple Watch SE 3, other models marked down in week-long Amazon sale

    Once again, a good deal’s a good deal.

    Amazon this week has discounted $30 off the Apple Watch SE 3 model, bringing it to a starting price of $219 for the 40mm GPS model. This marks one of the best prices to date for the smartwatch.

    In addition to this, the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 is also on sale for $249, marked down from $279. Both the 40mm and 44mm GPS models are available in Midnight and Starlight Aluminum at these prices.

    Finally, Amazon has knocked $100 off the entire Apple Watch Series 11 models for the time being, bringing the devices to a record low price point for the wearables.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Amazon