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  • Apple’s Eddy Cue confirms that Apple is working to blend AI search options into future versions of Safari

    Apple’s Eddy Cue confirms that Apple is working to blend AI search options into future versions of Safari

    Not surprisingly, Apple is looking at reworking its Safari web browser to directly support AI-powered search services.

    Per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s senior vice president of services, Eddy Cue, today disclosed that Apple is “actively looking at” reshaping its Safari web browser around AI search as part of testimony in the lawsuit against Google from the U.S. Justice Department. The dispute centers on the $20 billion deal between Apple and Google that makes the latter the default search engine on Apple devices.

    Cue stated that searches on Safari fell for the first time in April 2025, something he attributed to users switching to AI services. Cue also stated that he believes AI services such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude will eventually replace conventional search engines like Google. As a result, Apple will need to add them as options in Safari in the future. Cue said the company had already held discussions with Perplexity.

    According to Cue, the AI options “probably won’t be the default,” but Apple will add them “to the list” of available options.

    He also offered the following comment:

    “You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now as crazy as it sounds. The only way you truly have true competition is when you have technology shifts. Technology shifts create these opportunities. AI is a new technology shift, and it’s creating new opportunities for new entrants.”

    Cue stated that AI services need to improve their search indexes, and even if this doesn’t happen quickly, users are likely to switch rapdily given that AI services could offer compelling features that are “so much better.” Large language models will continue to improve over time, giving users more reason to switch from traditional search to AI. “There’s enough money now, enough large players, that I don’t see how it doesn’t happen,” he said.

    Finally, Cue stated that he believes that Google should remain the default search option in Safari. The deal now includes Google Lens integration in Visual Intelligence.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Bloomberg

  • Apple clarifies upcoming Siri third-party audio app defaults for iOS 14.5

    Apple clarifies upcoming Siri third-party audio app defaults for iOS 14.5

    If you’re not crazy about Apple Music, it looks like iOS 14.5 will allow you to specify a third-party music player to use with Siri.

    Per TechCrunch, this option may become available, albeit it’s a bit more complicated than a simple default music toggle switch within the operating system.

    There is no option to choose a music service that will be selected every time, with Apple instead using ‌Siri‌ intelligence. ‌Siri‌ will learn from your listening habits and the music selection process will improve over time. If you always ask ‌Siri‌ to select Spotify, for example, Spotify will be the default, but you can also change it in the future.

    With the option, asking Siri to play a song in iOS via a third-party application like Spotify won’t set Spotify as the “default,” and Apple has clarified that it does not want users to be confused if ‌Siri‌ asks again for your preferences in the future.

    Apple has stated that instead, Siri will learn your preferences for all types of audio content rather than just music. This is also applicable to other content, such as being able to choose a favorite third-party podcast app or third-party audiobook app.

    In this case, Siri can offer a list of audio apps from what you’ve installed, and your choice will help dictate Siri’s behavior, but ‌Siri‌ may ask again in the future and even when a preferred audio option has been selected, it can be changed by asking for a different app. If you’ve selected Spotify, for example, but want to swap to ‌Apple Music‌, you can say “Hey ‌Siri‌, play [song] in ‌Apple Music‌.”

    Apple has been steadily working on the Siri audio request feature throughout the iOS 14.5 betas, and the third beta refines the dialogs for app selection. App developers are able to choose participate in the ‌Siri‌ app selection feature by making their apps available as an option.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and TechCrunch

  • Apple releases iOS 14.0.1, iPadOS 14.0.1 updates

    Roughly a week after Apple’s release of its iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 operating systems, the first major patches have just been released with iOS 14.0.1 and iPadOS 14.0.1.

    The updates include the following fixes and changes:

    • Fixes an issue that could cause default browser and mail settings to reset after restarting your ‌iPhone‌
    • Addresses an issue that could prevent camera previews from displaying on ‌iPhone‌ 7 and ‌iPhone‌ 7 Plus
    • Fixes an issue that could prevent your ‌iPhone‌ from connecting to Wi-Fi networks
    • Resolves an issue that could prevent sending email with some mail providers
    • Addresses an issue that could prevent images from appearing in the News widget

    The updates can be located, downloaded, and installed by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer

  • Gmail app can now be chosen as the default email app in iOS 14, iPadOS 14

    If you’re a fan of the Gmail app on iOS or iPadOS, you’re going to like this.

    Google has announced that iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 allows users to choose the Gmail app as their default email app. To set this, either follow the in-app prompt or navigate to Settings > Gmail to set Gmail as the default.

    And if you’ve finally had it with Apple’s email app, your day of vengeance as arrived.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via the App Store

  • Verizon announces it won’t cut off service due to billing, will waive late fees until June 30

    With various wireless carriers easing billing restrictions during the pandemic, Verizon has followed suit, and announced on Monday that it will not disconnect individual customers and small businesses unable to pay their bills through June 30.

    The company has stated that service will not be terminated and that no late fees will be collected, the policy applying to postpaid wireless, residential, and small business customers that notify Verizon of an inability to pay their bills. For those experiencing financial troubles and need their fees waived, this process can be started by filling out a form on Verizon’s website to avoid fees.  

    Verizon has been waiving late fees and keeping customers connected since March after signing the FCC’s “Keep Americans Connected” pledge. 

    The company has also offered customers an additional 15GB of hotspot data for free in April and May, which has been automatically offered to users with consumer and small businesses with shared plans, hotspots, and jetpacks.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Verizon