Author: Richard

9to5Mac Daily: August 26, 2025 – Reporting on Apple and Elon Musk News and More

**9to5Mac Daily: Your Go-To Source for Daily Apple News and Insights**

In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, keeping up with the latest news and trends is crucial, particularly for Apple fans. 9to5Mac Daily offers an easy way to stay informed about the key stories impacting Apple and its ecosystem. This podcast is crafted to provide daily summaries of the most significant news, making sure listeners are updated on the latest advancements.

### What is 9to5Mac Daily?

9to5Mac Daily is a podcast dedicated to providing short and informative updates about Apple-related news. Episodes are published every weekday, establishing it as a dependable source for daily insights. The podcast can be found on multiple platforms, including [iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9to5mac-daily/id1331816080), [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/9to5mac-daily), [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/radio/9to5Mac-Daily-p1089524/), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/I5d4dzs7dauazmfxvvrynyiuram?t=9to5Mac_Daily), as well as via a dedicated

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macOS Tahoe Unveils Three New Apps for Mac Users: Insights on Future Features

# Apple’s macOS Tahoe: Fresh Features and Applications

Apple’s forthcoming software update for the Mac, macOS Tahoe (also known as macOS 26), is poised to bring an array of thrilling new features and applications. Featuring a novel Liquid Glass design and noteworthy enhancements to Spotlight, macOS Tahoe will also introduce three new Apple apps aimed at improving user experience on the Mac. Here’s a detailed look at what’s on the horizon.

## Journal

The Journal app, which initially debuted on iPhone with iOS 17.2 in late 2023, is transitioning to the Mac in macOS Tahoe, as well as to the iPad in iPadOS 26. This app enables users to record their thoughts and experiences, with all entries automatically syncing through iCloud.

On the Mac, Journal presents a dual-panel layout optimized for larger displays, allowing for easier composition of lengthy entries with a physical keyboard. The app maintains its current features from the iPhone version while adding new capabilities such as the option to create multiple distinct journals and view entries on a map according to their locations.

## Phone

macOS Tahoe will also boost the continuity features between the Mac and iPhone by launching a specialized Phone app. While Macs have long been capable of taking iPhone calls, the new Phone app provides a more integrated experience.

This app comes equipped with familiar functionalities like Recents, Favorites, and Voicemails, along with new features such as Call Screening and Hold Assist. Call Screening automatically responds to calls from unknown numbers and requests information from the caller, letting users choose whether to pick up. Hold Assist enables users to keep their position in a call queue while multitasking on their Mac.

## Apple Games

In addition to the Journal and Phone apps, macOS Tahoe will unveil Apple Games, a new gaming hub that will also be accessible on iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. This app aims to centralize gaming actions, enabling users to find new games, launch installed titles, and connect with friends via leaderboards and challenges.

## New macOS Tahoe Apps: Conclusion

In the past, the Mac has frequently lagged behind Apple’s other platforms regarding new app introductions. However, with macOS Tahoe, Apple is showcasing a dedication to improving the Mac experience by rolling out these three new applications. This change underscores a heightened emphasis on delivering a more unified and feature-rich environment across all Apple devices.

As macOS Tahoe nears its launch, users are left to consider which of the new apps they are most eager about. The amalgamation of Journal, Phone, and Apple Games is set to significantly enhance the Mac experience, rendering it more versatile and user-friendly than ever before.

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Grasping Concrete versus Cement: Ingredients, Manufacturing, and Ecological Impacts

how it affects the ecosystem. Cement manufacturing is among the most carbon-heavy industrial activities worldwide. Until we initiate large-scale fabrication of cement-free concrete, it remains a significant contributor to global emissions. To achieve greener urban areas and more sustainable infrastructure, it is essential to comprehend the functionality of these materials.

Structure and manufacturing

“2025 Sensual Thriller Dominates Netflix’s Worldwide Rankings”

The Netflix subscription has consistently provided access to global content that viewers might not otherwise experience. I’m clearly not the only one; millions of Netflix users in the U.S. share a similar craving for the streaming service’s international offerings, as shown by the rise of “Fall for Me,” a steamy German film set in picturesque Mallorca, which has reached the #4 position on Netflix’s Top 10 movies chart in the U.S. (as per the app’s daily ranking). Flixpatrol, as it stands, currently ranks the movie at #1 on Netflix — a claim I find hard to believe, given that “KPop Demon Hunters” is still performing exceptionally well and has just set yet another record. But that’s beside the point.

Netflix — at least in its promotional materials — is marketing the new German film (directed by Sherry Hormann) as a blend of “365 Days” and “The Tinder Swindler.” In other words: Picture a tantalizing thriller infused with deception and treachery. The narrative centers around two sisters, a marriage proposal, and a high-end bed-and-breakfast plot that turns out to be questionable. Add in a secretive club manager and the allure of a fleeting romance, and you can begin to understand why this film is rising up the rankings.

A fresh German-language thriller making waves on Netflix

<iframe class="gallery-image-video oembed" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pgu-BsBV-2I?v=pgu-BsBV-2I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen data-slide-url

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Apple to End Production of Seven Products Following iPhone 17 Event

Apple’s iPhone 17 event is officially imminent. As new devices are introduced, Apple is expected to retire seven products currently available for sale.

The iPhone 17 is the main attraction of the event. With the launch of four new iPhones, it’s anticipated that Apple will cease selling three existing iPhone models in its store.

Earlier this year, Apple phased out the outdated iPhone SE in favor of the more contemporary iPhone 16e. It’s expected that Apple will continue to update its budget-friendly iPhone annually, so it will remain for now.

Nevertheless, it’s likely that Apple will discontinue both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus after the iPhone 17 event wraps up. While other retailers may still stock these two models, don’t expect Apple to retain them in its inventory. If this happens, every iPhone offered by Apple will support Apple Intelligence for the first time.

Looking at the iPhone lineup, we anticipate that both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will stay available. Apple usually maintains its two standard flagship models with a $100 price reduction. iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will take their positions in the new lineup.

Next are the Pro models. Apple will stop selling both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. These will be replaced by the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Instead of reducing the price of its older Pro models, Apple simply removes them from sale.

To summarize, we should expect four iPhones to be discontinued on September 9: the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The upcoming iPhone lineup will likely be as follows:

– iPhone 16e starting at $599
– iPhone 16 starting at $699
– iPhone 16 Plus starting at $799
– iPhone 17 starting at $799
– iPhone 17 Air starting at $949
– iPhone 17 Pro starting at $1,049
– iPhone 17 Pro Max starting at $1,199

This reflects the rumored $50 price increase for double the storage on the iPhone 17 Pro and the $50 premium for the iPhone 17 Air over the original iPhone 16 Plus price. One analyst forecasted the iPhone 17 Pro Max could be priced at $1,249, which is also a possibility. Any additional changes would be unexpected.

For the other three products set to exit next month, we have the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and potentially the AirPods Pro 2.

Apple consistently updates its Series model watches, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 replaced the original Ultra model two years ago. The AirPods Pro 2 succeeded the original AirPods Pro, but both AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 were sold concurrently until two versions of AirPods 4 were released. One unexpected twist could involve the AirPods Pro 2 remaining available at the same or lower price should the AirPods Pro 3 be priced higher.

The Apple Watch SE (second-gen) is now as outdated as the initial SE was at its replacement time, but there’s not much discussion around that at the moment.

For now, we can reasonably forecast that Apple will discontinue four iPhones, two Apple Watch models, and one version of AirPods.

In case you did not catch it, Apple announced its iPhone 17 event today with the tagline “Awe dropping.” As anticipated, the event is scheduled for September 9. 9to5Mac will be at Apple Park covering all announcements related to the event.

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Five Essential Benefits of the iPhone 17 Pro in Relation to the iPhone 17 Air

Apple’s iPhone 17 event is officially scheduled for September 9. For those eager early adopters, the slim iPhone 17 Air will undoubtedly be considered alongside the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Here are five benefits the iPhone 17 Pro will possess over the eye-catching new Air model.

## Battery Life

This shouldn’t be surprising, but it’s an important distinction nonetheless. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are anticipated to provide noticeably superior battery life compared to the ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air. This would hold true even if Apple made no alterations to the Pro lineup this year. However, specifically for the Pro Max, the gap is expected to widen this year. Reports suggest Apple aims to make the 17 Pro Max even thicker this year to accommodate a larger battery than ever before. There’s no instance where the 17 Air will approach that kind of capacity.

## Rear Camera System

Apple’s Pro models will still boast the finest rear camera systems. This year, for the iPhone 17 series, here’s what that will entail:
– iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: 48MP Main, Telephoto, and Ultra Wide cameras
– iPhone 17 Air: 48MP Main camera

Indeed, Apple’s new Air model will feature only a single rear camera.

## Anti-Reflective Display

Apple has been swiftly increasing its implementation of nano-texture displays that diminish glare over the past few years. Now, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are rumored to incorporate their anti-reflective technology. While it likely won’t match nano-texture exactly, it should provide similar advantages. The iPhone 17 Air, on the other hand, is not expected to feature an anti-reflective display. However, it is anticipated to receive always-on and 120Hz variable refresh rate capabilities that were previously exclusive to Pro models.

## Fully Powered A19 Pro Chip

Speculation suggests that the iPhone 17 Air and Pro models will be surprisingly alike in specifications. Both are set to include 12GB of RAM, for instance, and even feature the A19 Pro chip. If maximum performance is your goal, however, the Pro models will hold an advantage. The A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be a binned version with one GPU core turned off. Therefore, to achieve the complete GPU count, one would need the iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max.

## Wildcard: Reverse Wireless Charging

Reports indicate that Apple has evaluated reverse wireless charging in its iPhone 17 Pro models. This feature is anticipated to be exclusive to Pro models and would enable you to charge other Apple devices placed on the back of your iPhone. This is the latest rumor concerning the iPhone 17 Pro, and some skepticism is warranted. Nevertheless, it would certainly serve as another excellent way to utilize the additional battery benefits of the Pro Max this year.

Are you more intrigued by the iPhone 17 Air, Pro, or Pro Max? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Gemini Employs Google DeepMind for Enhanced Photo Editing in Most Recent Update

The enhancements for Gemini come from a newly developed model by DeepMind.

(Image credit: Google)

Essential information

  • Google has unveiled a significant upgrade for its AI image editor, which now utilizes a new model from DeepMind.
  • Gemini’s upgraded editing continues to utilize user prompts for blending images, modifying designs, and more.
  • This update is being released for the Gemini app today (Aug 26).

Google has introduced a substantial update aiming to enhance the possibilities for photo editing within Gemini.

This morning (Aug 26), Google announced via a blog entry that the Gemini app’s integrated AI image editor is getting an upgrade that allows for unique modifications based on user prompts. The key feature of this update is that the improved image editing in Gemini results from a novel model from Google DeepMind. Google emphasizes that users only need to provide an image for Gemini to modify.

Users are able to utilize Gemini’s enhanced prompt-driven photo editing in multiple ways.

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The New Design of Galaxy S26 Ultra Improves Comfort

Even More Rounded Corners on the Horizon

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Essential Information

  • The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to have rounder corners for enhanced ergonomics and a better in-hand sensation.
  • The battery capacity is likely to remain at 5,000mAh, but rapid charging could achieve groundbreaking 60W speed.
  • Feedback from users suggests a desire for a more comfortable design following the rounded edges of the S25 Ultra.

Samsung’s upcoming Ultra model might feature subtle design adjustments that enhance the ease of holding it. Although earlier leaks have hinted at what’s inside the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, this information specifically emphasizes its ergonomics and “in-hand” comfort.

Well-known leaker Ice Universe shared on X that the forthcoming Samsung S26 Ultra may exhibit even rounder corners compared to its earlier model, mentioning that the “four corners of the S26 Ultra’s body have become rounder.”

Samsung previously maintained sharp edges with its past Ultra versions, including the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S23 Ultra, and Galaxy S24 Ultra; however, it embraced the rounded design with the new Galaxy S25 Ultra, moving away from its “Note-like” corner style, which some users criticized for being hard to handle.

A poll conducted by PhoneArena revealed that more than 52% of participants preferred seeing design modifications; while some believe the rectangular design of the S24 Ultra was “unique,” the S25 Ultra’s rounded edges were widely considered a significant enhancement for comfort.

It appears that Samsung aims to confer an even more luxurious appearance to the Ultra, reminiscent of the Galaxy S25 Edge, which felt exceptionally sleek in hand. However, the transition to rounded edges raises concerns about the phone slipping from your grip, as a smoother, rounder surface can sometimes feel less secure, and with a high-end device like the Ultra, a drop could be quite costly.

Battery Concerns

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Battery

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

As indicated by earlier leaks, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra may retain its predecessor’s 5,000mAh battery, and another certification reportedly given for the device reinforces that the battery capacity may not be seeing an increase.

Sam Mobile seems to have identified the upcoming Ultra being examined by China’s Quality Certification Center this week, with its battery labeled as “EB-BS948ABY,” indicating a rated capacity of 4,855mAh, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

However, it’s not entirely negative; the charging speed of the new Galaxy S26 Ultra could potentially rise to 60W fast charging. If this is accurate, it would mark the fastest charging speed ever achieved on a Galaxy flagship.

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Google Translate Facilitates Instantaneous Dialogue Translation and Language Training

Google enhanced Google Translate using AI. A few years back, Google introduced AI-driven contextual translation features to Google Translate.

The two new functionalities will be offered for free to Google Translate users, although the learning experience is in beta and confined to a select few languages. Google did not disclose any pricing information for the language-learning practice mode after the feature exits beta.

How to utilize Google Translate for live conversations

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Apple’s Legal Controversies in Two Nations Regarding 12-Cent iPhone Charge

Apple is presently involved in legal conflicts in both the UK and the US concerning 4G patents critical for its mobile devices. The company has applied for the right to contest a UK decision that would enforce an extra charge of 12 cents per iPhone.

This matter is important not only for Apple but also for many companies, as it underscores the wider repercussions of patent licensing in the mobile sector.

### Understanding Key Terms

To produce mobile devices, businesses are required to secure licenses for various patents, termed Standards-Essential Patents (SEPs). These patents are vital since they are necessary for adherence to industry standards. The organizations that create these SEPs also take part in establishing the standards, creating an expectation that licensing conditions should be more advantageous than those for standard patents.

SEPs must be licensed under FRAND conditions—Fair, Reasonable, And Non-Discriminatory. Problems emerge when patent assertion entities, commonly known as patent trolls, acquire these SEPs and demand unreasonable licensing fees that do not comply with FRAND principles.

### The 12-Cent Dispute

Apple’s ongoing dispute with Optis Wireless Technology, a firm owned by a New York hedge fund, exemplifies this challenge. Even though Optis possesses a small number of 4G SEPs, it is pursuing significant licensing fees. In the US, a court originally awarded Optis $506 million in damages, later lowered to $300 million, prompting appeals from both parties. The judge mandated a new trial to re-evaluate the damages.

In a distinct UK case, the court ruled that the FRAND rate for Optis’s patents should be 2 cents per iPhone, which was subsequently increased to 14 cents by the Supreme Court. Apple’s concern transcends the 12-cent variance; it worries about the potential global precedent this ruling might establish. The price of the cellular modem in an iPhone is around $20, and if all SEPs needed for that modem were adjusted according to the UK decision, Apple could encounter licensing fees of approximately $40, in contrast to the existing $5-6.

Additionally, the UK Supreme Court suggested that it could establish rates applicable globally, not just in the UK. Apple has sought permission to appeal, with Optis anticipated to respond shortly, although a final resolution may not be reached until the following year.

### Broader Implications for Businesses

Apple contends that its struggle is not merely for its own interests but also for enterprises of all sizes. For example, a bicycle rental service that relies on 4G modems for tracking could be targeted by Optis, lacking the legal means to defend itself.

### Conclusion

While Apple’s intentions may be questioned, the prevalence of patent trolls represents a significant obstacle in the tech industry. The engagement of a major entity like Apple in addressing these issues is a positive advancement for the sector as a whole.

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