Day: July 25, 2025

AI Aids in Filling Historical Voids, Starting with Ancient Rome

goes the adage we’ve all encountered and rephrased in various ways when discussing the past, present situations, and even personal issues. Perhaps the most effective way to grasp, interpret, and subsequently recall the past is right in front of us, as more sophisticated artificial intelligence can assist researchers in discovering answers to previously unresolvable inquiries about history.

For instance, an AI model was instrumental in aiding scientists in identifying the authors of the Bible. The technology does not pinpoint the actual authors, but the AI facilitated the evidence that certain sections of the Bible are attributed to a particular group of writers. In another instance, a distinct team of researchers successfully analyzed a charred scroll from ancient Rome utilizing X-ray imaging alongside AI.

Currently, a new research study incorporating AI reveals that artificial intelligence can assist scholars in deciphering inscriptions from ancient Rome by filling in missing portions and even assessing the probable era of an inscription’s origin.

How Aeneas AI can bridge the gaps in Roman history

Samsung Wallet Unveils In-Store Payment Installment Option

Samsung has revealed a partnership with Splitit to launch a convenient installment payment feature via Samsung Wallet. This innovative option enables users to divide in-store payments into manageable installments right at checkout. The feature is presently offered in 21 states and Washington D.C., with a comprehensive rollout across the U.S. anticipated by late 2025.

The installment payment feature is seamlessly integrated into Samsung Wallet, allowing users to opt for split payments alongside their regular card selections. It is compatible with existing Visa and Mastercard accounts, negating the need for a credit check or new financing arrangements. When processing an in-store payment, users will notice a “Pay in installments” option displayed next to their eligible cards. Post-checkout, they can choose a Splitit plan that aligns with their budget, with all transactions monitored within Samsung Wallet.

Users have the option to select from four payment plans: six or eight biweekly payments, or six or nine monthly payments. If a decision is not made within 24 hours, the total amount will be charged. This feature enhances Samsung’s Tap to Transfer, providing an additional payment option without requiring a new account or credit check.

Samsung’s strategy emphasizes in-store transactions, distinguishing it from many “buy now, pay later” services aimed at online shopping. This initiative is in line with a rising trend of incorporating payment plans into digital wallets, similar to Google’s collaborations with Affirm, Zip, Afterpay, and Klarna for Google Wallet. Samsung’s move heightens competition within the mobile wallet sector, offering users increased flexibility in payment options for in-store purchases.

Read More
Ben Stiller’s Film About His Parents Scheduled to Debut on Apple TV+

Apple TV+ has revealed its newest partnership with Ben Stiller: an original documentary that delves into the lives and legacy of his parents, the iconic comedy pair Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. Here’s the release timeline.

### ‘Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost’ to hit theaters

The documentary, *Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost*, is set to premiere in select cinemas on October 17, followed by its global release on Apple TV+ on October 24.

Here’s what Ben Stiller has to say about the forthcoming launch of his most intimate project yet:

> “I consider myself incredibly lucky to collaborate once more with the fantastic team at Apple TV+, this time on a project that holds deep personal significance for me and my family, (…) It’s thrilling to finally present it to audiences; and a tremendous privilege to celebrate my parents, both in the way I experienced them while growing up, and in the new insights I’ve gained through creating this film.”

Joining Stiller, the production team features John Lesher, Geoffrey Richman, and Lizz Morhaim, alongside additional executive producers from XTR and others.

Here’s Apple’s perspective on the initiative:

> “Ben Stiller narrates the tale of his parents, comedic legends Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, highlighting their influence on both cultural society and at home, where the boundaries between creativity, family, life, and art often intermingle. Throughout this journey, Stiller turns the camera towards himself and his family to reflect on Jerry and Anne’s significant impact on their lives, and the generational wisdom that we all can glean from those we care about.”

*Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost* further enhances Stiller’s evolving partnership with Apple. He is a co-creator and director of *Severance*, which recently garnered 27 Emmy nominations, leading all series this year.

Apple TV+ is offered for $9.99 a month and showcases popular TV shows and films such as *Ted Lasso*, *Severance*, *The Studio*, *The Morning Show*, *Shrinking*, and *Silo*.

Read More
Apple Unveils Revised App Store Age Ratings and Fresh Developer Criteria

Apple is informing developers about automatic modifications to the age rating of their applications and games, as it implements more detailed tiers as part of the forthcoming enhanced family tools. Here’s what this entails.

## Change Signifies Forthcoming Enhancements to Parental Control Detail

In a message dispatched to developers today, Apple revealed that the revamped App Store age rating framework introduces three additional tiers: 13+, 16+, and 18+, in addition to the current 4+ and 9+ ratings.

Apple indicated that, “Age ratings are assigned country or region-wise and may differ based on local suitability criteria.” The company has already automatically reassigned applications under the new framework based on developers’ past responses to the age rating questionnaire.

The revised ratings are now incorporated in the latest beta releases of iOS 26 and other platforms. If the newly assigned automatic rating does not fit its target audience, developers can manually adjust it in App Store Connect.

## New Mandatory Questions Arriving at App Store Connect

To facilitate the expanded framework, Apple has introduced a new series of mandatory questions to the age rating questionnaire. These address:

– In-app controls.
– Capabilities.
– Medical or wellness subjects.
– Violent content in your app or game.

Apple is requesting developers to complete the revised questionnaire on App Store Connect by January 31, 2026. Following that date, app updates will be halted in App Store Connect until the new questions are addressed.

In the correspondence, Apple reminded developers that their applications must also adhere to regulations like COPPA and GDPR, and must consider all app functionalities, including AI assistants and chatbot features, when assessing the prevalence of sensitive content.

Read More
Apple Unveils Videos from Human-Focused Machine Learning Workshop

**Apple’s Dedication to Ethical AI Development: Takeaways from the 2024 HCML Workshop**

In August 2024, Apple organized the Workshop on Human-Centered Machine Learning (HCML), uniting researchers and academic professionals to explore the convergence of machine learning and human-centered design. Recently, Apple released selected recordings from this event on its Machine Learning Research blog, underscoring its commitment to ethical AI development.

### Nearly 3 Hours of Content Available

The HCML workshop covered a wide array of subjects, ranging from model interpretability to accessibility, alongside strategies aimed at reducing large-scale adverse effects linked to AI progress. The recordings offer crucial perspectives on how AI can be constructed with an emphasis on human requirements and ethical issues.

The subsequent videos from the workshop are now accessible for viewing:

– **“Engineering Better UIs via Collaboration with Screen-Aware Foundation Models”** by Kevin Moran (University of Central Florida)
– **“UI Understanding”** by Jeff Nichols (Apple)
– **“AI-Resilient Interfaces”** by Elena Glassman (Harvard University)
– **“Tiny but Powerful: Human-Centered Research to Support Efficient On-Device ML”** by Mary Beth Kery (Apple)
– **“Speech Technology for People with Speech Disabilities”** by Colin Lea and Dianna Yee (Apple)
– **“AI-Powered AR Accessibility”** by John Froehlich (University of Washington)
– **“Vision-Based Hand Gesture Customization from a Single Demonstration”** by Cori Park (Apple)
– **“Creating Superhearing: Augmenting Human Auditory Perception with AI”** by Shyam Gollakota (University of Washington)

### Apple is Reinforcing Its Commitment to Ethical AI Development

Although the event took place nearly a year ago, the discussions are still pertinent, emphasizing the human dimensions of machine learning as opposed to only technological progress. Apple’s blog entry showcases its commitment to responsible AI development, steered by a framework of principles intended to guarantee ethical practices in the creation of AI tools:

1. **Empower Users with Intelligent Tools**: Apple strives to develop AI tools that meet specific user requirements while respecting their autonomy in using these tools.

2. **Represent Our Users**: The organization seeks to genuinely represent users worldwide, actively preventing stereotypes and biases in AI models.

3. **Design with Care**: Apple stresses precaution at each phase of AI development, from design to quality assessment, to detect possible misuse or harm.

4. **Protect Privacy**: The organization values user privacy through on-device processing and refrains from utilizing personal data for training its foundational models.

As discussions about responsible AI development continue to progress, Apple’s proactive stance establishes a benchmark for ethical practices in the technology sector. The insights shared during the HCML workshop highlight the significance of prioritizing human-centered design in the advancement of AI technologies.

Read More
Eight New Mac-Centric Features Unveiled in macOS Tahoe 26

# macOS Tahoe 26: An In-Depth Exploration of Its Main Features

Although macOS Tahoe 26 shares a sleek redesign with iOS and iPadOS, its standout new functionalities emphasize the core essence of the Mac. Enhancements to the Terminal, automation capabilities, and modifications for power users represent the types of Mac updates that aren’t available on the iPhone and iPad. Apple is concentrating its efforts on the Mac through these features.

## Terminal Receives a Visual Makeover with Additional Customization

Nothing embodies the Mac like the Terminal does. macOS Tahoe 26 introduces a visual enhancement to Terminal. With support for 24-bit color and fresh themes, users can customize the command line interface to reflect their preferences or work environment more effectively. Native support for Powerline glyphs permits the integration of status bars or rich prompts directly within the shell. These upgrades improve functionality while maintaining the inherent versatility that Terminal users desire.

## Shortcuts Now Respond to Real-World Situations

macOS 26 enhances Shortcuts automation with additional conditions. Automations can now be activated based on file activity, battery levels, and the time of day. Other triggers encompass particular wifi networks, external displays, calendar events, and even email senders. For instance, connecting a monitor can prompt your Work Focus. Another example: if a file is added to the desktop, it can be automatically organized into the correct folder. These enhancements provide substantial automation for daily Mac activities.

## Notes Introduces Markdown Support and Call Transcription

Notes now features the ability to import and export Markdown-formatted files. This offers users increased adaptability when working across different platforms or utilizing plain text formatting. More importantly on the Mac, if you utilize the new Phone app, you can create transcripts of any call within Notes. These transcripts can be saved for future reference. This streamlines the process of keeping track of conversations without the hassle of manual note-taking.

## Safari Improves Picture in Picture

The Safari browser acquires new Picture in Picture controls. Users can now transition videos into PiP from the Page Menu and manage playback from the floating window. Supported videos can be fast-forwarded or rewound, and ads can be skipped whenever possible. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for multitaskers who enjoy watching content while working or gaming.

## Folders Become More Personalized and Easier to Manage

Folder customization is incredibly expressive in macOS 26. You can assign emojis or symbols to folders, apply colors that automatically come with system tags, and even establish a new default color for all folders throughout Finder, the Dock, and desktop. This visual customization simplifies the identification and organization of projects at a glance. It truly highlights the advantages of using a Mac.

## Pinned Collections in Photos

The Photos app introduces Pinned Collections on the Mac this year. This concept was first launched on the iPhone and iPad last year with the revamped Photos app. Now, the organizational efforts made on mobile are reflected on the Mac, and vice versa. You can pin your frequently used albums or folders for instant access from the sidebar. Apple has also redesigned the sidebar to align with iPadOS. Additional updates enable you to hide the sidebar, adjust collection tile sizes, and access filtering and sorting features more conveniently.

## Vehicle Motion Cues Arrive on the Mac

Apple is introducing its Vehicle Motion Cues feature to macOS for the first time. This accessibility functionality alleviates motion sickness by presenting subtle visual indicators in sync with the vehicle’s movements. This is especially beneficial for users who are working from a car or other moving environment, reducing discomfort caused by the conflict between visual and sensory cues. It’s perfect for those times when the passenger seat of your vehicle becomes your office for the day.

## Gaming Receives Quality-of-Life Enhancements

macOS 26 features several advancements for gaming. For instance, Low Power Mode can now be activated during gameplay. This enables longer gaming sessions when charging options are limited. Pairing a DualSense controller is as simple as pairing an Apple trackpad or keyboard. Just connect via USB-C and you’re set. Switching between devices can effortlessly be done through the controller or Bluetooth settings. These adjustments are minor yet significant for Mac users who balance productivity and gaming.

## 9to5Mac’s Opinion

macOS Tahoe 26 primarily represents a redesign that harmonizes its appearance with that of the iPhone and iPad. Nevertheless, enhancements to Terminal, extensive personalization options, and other features specific to the Mac illustrate that macOS Tahoe 26 continues to embrace the essence of the Mac. At the same time, Tahoe incorporates a mix of both existing and new features from iOS and iPadOS into the Mac. The breadth of capabilities is what truly fortifies the Mac’s resilience.

Read More
Starlink Encounters Global Service Interruption During T-Mobile Integration Rollout

**Starlink Global Outage: Context and Consequences**

For the last hour, Starlink users across the globe have been facing considerable service interruptions. This outage, which the company is currently working to rectify, notably follows the rollout of T-Mobile’s integration with the Starlink satellite system just a day earlier.

Starlink confirmed the existing network outage through a post on X, saying, “Starlink is presently experiencing a network outage, and we are diligently working on a solution. We value your understanding and will provide an update once this issue is resolved.” The firm’s Status page supports this information, noting that their team is looking into the outage’s cause. Furthermore, DownDetector has noted an increase in reports of outages, although there are signs that service might already be starting to recover.

### T-Mobile and Starlink Integration Officially Launched

The timing of this disruption is particularly significant, as it closely follows T-Mobile’s formal introduction of its T-Satellite service, which leverages Starlink satellites to deliver basic connectivity in areas without cellular reception. T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert proclaimed the launch, highlighting its importance in the effort to eradicate dead zones. The T-Satellite service is now accessible to all users, even those on rival networks such as Verizon and AT&T.

The service, which is being deployed across the United States, provides limited text messaging and location-sharing functionalities. It supports texting and location sharing, including integration with Apple’s Emergency SOS feature, and is compatible with more than 60 devices, such as iPhone 13 and later versions, Pixel 9, and recent Galaxy models. For a limited time, T-Satellite is available as an independent subscription for $10 monthly or as part of T-Mobile’s premium plans.

As Starlink attempts to resolve the current disruption, the effects of this service interruption may impact both Starlink and T-Mobile subscribers, particularly those who have recently started depending on the new satellite connectivity offerings. This situation highlights the intricacies and hurdles of integrating new technologies into existing networks, especially within the domain of satellite communications.

Read More
iOS 26 Compatibility: Supported iPhone Models for the Update

Apple’s upcoming significant iPhone software upgrade is iOS 26, but not all iPhones will be able to run the new software. Below are the iPhone models that will (and will not) be compatible with iOS 26 when it debuts this fall.

### Three iPhone Models Excluded from iOS 26 Support

Each year, when Apple announces fresh software updates, there’s always a possibility that older hardware models might not receive support. Recently, iOS 18 was compatible with all the same iPhones that could operate iOS 17. However, this year, there are changes regarding model compatibility with iOS 26.

iOS 26 will **not** support the following models:

– iPhone XS
– iPhone XS Max
– iPhone XR

These three models received support from iOS 18, but Apple has excluded them for iOS 26 this year.

### All iPhones Supporting iOS 26

Here’s the complete list of iPhones that **will** be compatible with iOS 26:

– iPhone 16e
– iPhone 16 and 16 Plus
– iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
– iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
– iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
– iPhone 14 and 14 Plus
– iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
– iPhone 13 and 13 mini
– iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
– iPhone 12 and 12 mini
– iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
– iPhone 11
– iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
– iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

It’s important to note that even if a model is technically capable of running iOS 26, it may not receive all features. Last year with iOS 18, we noticed that all Apple Intelligence capabilities were exclusively available to newer iPhones. Likewise, for iOS 26, AI features will solely be accessible on iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 versions. There might also be additional restrictions for features not related to AI.

iOS 26 is presently available in beta form only and will be released to all users this fall.

Are you taken aback by the iPhone models compatible with iOS 26? In what aspect? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Read More
MLS Commissioner Offers Elucidation on Apple TV+ Season Pass Audience Metrics

### MLS Season Pass Viewership Update: Insights from Commissioner Don Garber

Apple has been quite cautious in revealing viewership data for its sports streaming platform, MLS Season Pass. Nevertheless, at a recent midseason press briefing, Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner Don Garber shared some fascinating insights regarding the service’s performance in 2025.

#### Current Viewership Statistics

Garber reported that MLS games are presently averaging 120,000 unique viewers per match, representing a remarkable 50% rise compared to the prior year. This increase in viewership is credited not only to the collaboration with Apple TV+ but also to an expanded distribution strategy that has broadened access to games via platforms like Comcast’s Xfinity, DirecTV, and EA Sports.

#### Understanding ‘Unique Viewers’

The concept of “unique viewers” has sparked inquiries among reporters, as it differs from the conventional metric of average-minute audience typically utilized in sports broadcasting. When asked for clarification, Garber articulated that the unique viewer number corresponds to the structure of MLS’s scheduling, where the majority of matches occur simultaneously on Saturdays. This scheduling approach sets it apart from other leagues that might follow a “game of the week” model. Garber stressed that achieving 120,000 unique viewers across several games is a notable accomplishment, indicating that the total viewership could surpass a million unique viewers in a single week.

However, the vagueness surrounding the definition of a “unique viewer” persists. It remains uncertain whether the 120,000 figure refers to each individual match or serves as an average across all Saturday games. Moreover, the conditions for how long a viewer must watch to be deemed “unique” have not been delineated.

#### Impact of Sunday Night Soccer

A source from Sports Business Journal suggested that the overall average viewership is likely enhanced by the “Sunday Night Soccer” games, which receive heightened promotion from Apple. This weekly standalone match has become a key attraction for drawing viewers and boosting engagement.

#### Future Transparency

Garber recognized the necessity for improved transparency regarding viewership figures and pledged to furnish more data at the forthcoming press conference scheduled for December. This commitment to increased clarity may assist in resolving the present ambiguities surrounding the metrics employed to assess the success of the MLS Season Pass.

#### Current Promotions

For fans keen on accessing MLS matches, the MLS Season Pass is currently being offered at a 50% discount on Apple TV+, making it a compelling option for soccer aficionados.

In conclusion, while the reported growth in unique viewers is encouraging for the MLS and its collaboration with Apple, the obscurity surrounding the metrics used poses significant questions regarding the actual reach and influence of the MLS Season Pass. As the league progresses, further updates and transparency will be vital for comprehending its development trajectory.

Read More
How to Properly Utilize Google AI Overviews: Frequent Errors and Remedies

adhesive-on-pizza suggestions. Google has made strides in addressing the hallucinations issue, although AI Overviews can still fabricate information. Additionally, Google has significantly broadened AI Overviews since their launch in May 2024.

According to Google, AI Overviews are extremely favored by users. In contrast, research indicates that AI Overviews have resulted in a substantial decline in search traffic from Google. Google contests these results, but if the data is accurate — indicating that AI Overviews are widely valued and Google Search users are visiting AI Overview sources less frequently — it suggests you’re misusing Google’s tool.

Since the viral success of ChatGPT in late 2022, a plethora of AI chatbots has surfaced online, including Google’s Gemini, the system that drives AI functionalities within Google Search. All chatbots operate on a similar basis. They anticipate the subsequent word instead of demonstrating genuine intelligence or reasoning. This renders them all susceptible to errors or adhesive-on-pizza hallucinations. This is why you should not place unfounded trust in AI irrespective of the service you employ. Validating sources is essential in contemporary times, and that’s how you’re misusing AI Overviews.

Research on AI Overviews