A letter Apple sent to US senators, obtained by NBC News, reveals that Apple rejected an initial Grok update and warned the app could be removed unless xAI made further changes. Only a second submission passed. Apple privately threatened to remove Grok, xAIâs AI chatbot, from the App Store in January after Elon Muskâs company […]
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Google’s Verified Caller Feature: A Response to Android’s Unknown Call Challenge
Google is making notable progress in resolving one of Android’s ongoing dilemmas: unidentified callers pretending to be real contacts. This new effort includes integrating Verified Caller safeguards directly into the Android operating system, removing the necessity for users to depend solely on the Google Phone app for call verification.
At the heart of this update is a system-level protective feature that verifies incoming calls against Do-Not-Originate (DNO) numbers. These numbers are generally utilized by banks and governmental organizations for receiving calls only and are not intended for outgoing calls. Scammers frequently spoof these numbers to seem legitimate, but with Google’s new tool, Android devices will have the ability to recognize and flag such spoofed calls before users respond to them.
This advancement is part of a larger initiative by Google to improve user security and privacy. By incorporating this feature into Google Play Services, the protection becomes an inherent aspect of the Android experience, offering users an extra layer of security without relying on third-party applications.
The inclusion of this feature into the Android system signifies a major leap forward in the battle against phone scams. It provides a more holistic solution by collaborating with existing applications and services, facilitating a more fluid and effective defense against fraudulent calls.
Although this feature is still being developed, its capacity to substantially lessen the number of successful phone scams is encouraging. As Google proceeds to enhance and broaden this capability, Android users can anticipate a more secure and reliable calling experience.
**Opera Expands MCP Compatibility Beyond Neon**
Following the recent introduction of MCP compatibility in Opera Neon, Opera is now incorporating its browser connector feature into Opera One and Opera GX. Here’s what that entails.
A few weeks back, Opera revealed that Opera Neon, its subscription-driven agentic browser, had achieved MCP compatibility, empowering users to link external AI tools directly to their ongoing browsing experiences. Essentially, this functionality allowed Opera Neon subscribers to permit chatbots and tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Lovable, n8n, and OpenClaw to access tabs, engage with pages, and perform actions on their behalf.
Today, Opera is broadening this MCP compatibility to include Opera One and Opera GX, meaning that the feature is no longer exclusive to Opera Neon subscribers.
MCP is an open standard that links AI models (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude) to external platforms (like Notion, Google Drive, Slack, GitHub, and Zapier).
Opera emphasizes that the launch of the Browser Connector on Opera One and Opera GX reinforces the company’s dedication to user choice, ensuring “users aren’t restricted to a single company’s ecosystem, but are instead free to mix the best tools for their individual requirements,” as stated by Mohamed Salah, Senior Director of Product at Opera.
To activate the Browser Connector feature, users can navigate to Settings, search for AI Services, install Browser Connector, and then link their preferred LLM.
The trailer for “Focker-in-Law”, the latest instalment in the “Meet the Parents” franchise that seems Ben Stiller feuding with his soon-to-be daughter-in-law Ariana Grande, has dropped.
DeepL says its tech could be used for real-time translation with meeting tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams
According to Bloomberg, teams from SpaceX and Tesla have approached Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, Lam Research, and Samsung for price quotes and delivery times on chipmaking equipment. Teams working for Elon Musk have reached out to major chip industry suppliers including Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, and Lam Research, as well as chip manufacturing partner Samsung […]
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**9to5Mac Daily: Your Destination for Daily Tech Updates**
In the dynamic realm of technology, keeping updated is vital. 9to5Mac Daily provides a seamless way to stay informed about the latest news and progress in the Apple universe and beyond. This daily podcast delivers a summary of the main stories, ensuring you remain up-to-date with significant information.
**Podcast Accessibility**
9to5Mac Daily is available on various platforms, allowing listeners to access it at their convenience. You can discover the podcast on [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/), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/I5d4dzs7dauazmfxvvrynyiuram?t=9to5Mac_Daily), or via their [dedicated RSS feed](https://feedpress.me/9to5macdaily) for Overcast and other podcast platforms.
**Sponsorship and Promotions**
The podcast is supported by CardPointers, a service aimed at helping users optimize their credit card rewards. Listeners can benefit from an exclusive deal, saving 30% and obtaining a $100 Savings Card.
**Daily Broadcasts**
New episodes of 9to5Mac Daily are produced every weekday, ensuring that subscribers receive fresh material consistently. By subscribing to the podcast, you ensure that new episodes arrive as soon as they are released.
**Subscription Advantages**
For those wishing to elevate their listening experience, subscribing to 9to5Mac Daily Plus provides extra perks. Subscribers can relish ad-free editions of each episode and access bonus materials, making it a valuable option for dedicated listeners.
**Interaction and Responses**
9to5Mac invites listener interaction and feedback. You can express your opinions by emailing them at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Furthermore, listeners are encouraged to rate the podcast on [Apple Podcasts](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1331816080?at=10laZc&pt=11l8808) or recommend it in [Overcast](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/overcast/id888422857?mt=8&at=10laZc&pt=11l8808) to assist others in discovering the show.
**Ending Notes**
For anyone eager to learn about the latest in technology, especially within the Apple ecosystem, 9to5Mac Daily is an indispensable resource. With its straightforward accessibility, captivating content, and listener-centric focus, it distinguishes itself as a top source for daily tech updates.
The two companies announced an expanded partnership at a Cadence conference in Santa Clara on Wednesday. The goal: make robot training data more accurate so physical AI systems reach real-world deployment faster. Cadence Design Systems and Nvidia have announced an expanded partnership aimed at closing one of roboticsâ most persistent problems: the gap between how […]
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### Apple Frames 4: A Significant Enhancement for Framing Screenshots with Apple Product Bezels
Federico Viticci at *MacStories* has rolled out a notable upgrade to his Apple Frames shortcut, enabling users to frame their screenshots using authentic Apple product bezels. This latest iteration, Apple Frames 4, is characterized by Federico as a “complete reimagining” of the shortcut, featuring enhanced speed, compatibility with the newest Apple devices, and improved customization options.
#### Streamlined Functionality
A key transformation in Apple Frames 4 is the simplification of its process. The shortcut has been condensed from over 800 steps to around 300, leading to a quicker and more dependable experience. This enhancement is due to a more sophisticated logic that adapts to the growing array of Apple screen sizes and display resolutions.
#### New Features
Apple Frames 4 brings forth several thrilling features:
1. **Support for Frame Colors**: Users are no longer confined to standard frame colors. This update enables customization of frame colors based on device and orientation, allowing users to choose from all the colored bezels officially available from Apple.
2. **Device Variants**: The shortcut now supports various device models, granting users the option to select between models like the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro for particular frames.
3. **Proportional Scaling**: A major improvement is the proportional scaling feature, which resolves a common problem where screenshots from differing devices would merge without maintaining their physical proportions. Apple Frames 4 now preserves the correct proportions when combining screenshots from devices such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPad Pro.
#### Command-Line Interface (CLI)
Alongside the revamped shortcut, Federico has created a command-line interface (CLI) for Apple Frames. This CLI is tailored for developers and marketers who regularly handle screenshots, optimizing their workflow. The CLI can be incorporated into app development routines, enabling users to generate framed screenshots straight from the Terminal on their Mac.
#### Conclusion
Apple Frames 4 signifies a major progress in how users can frame their screenshots, making it an indispensable tool for both everyday users and professionals. The update not only improves functionality but also introduces new customization options that suit individual tastes. Users can download the new Apple Frames 4 shortcut and discover more about the CLI on the *MacStories* website. This tool is integral to numerous workflows, including those at *9to5Mac*, and its latest update is eagerly awaited by the community.
### iPhone Fold: Production Setbacks and Launch Outlook
A recent report from Digitimes reveals that the production of Apple’s eagerly awaited iPhone Fold has faced setbacks, with mass production now anticipated to commence in August instead of the initially scheduled July. Nevertheless, Apple is still dedicated to launching the iPhone Fold in 2026, as confirmed by Bloomberg.
#### Production Obstructions
The schedule for the iPhone Fold’s production has been a subject of considerable speculation. Reports from Nikkei Asia indicated that Apple confronted significant engineering obstacles that could delay the device’s first shipment by multiple months. However, Bloomberg countered these assertions, claiming that the foldable iPhone remains on course for a release during Apple’s customary iPhone launch period in September.
Digitimes’ most recent report verifies that while Apple is indeed encountering production challenges, these difficulties are not substantial enough to indicate a major delay in the iPhone Fold’s launch. Typically, new iPhones enter mass production in June, enabling Apple to assemble inventory prior to the September release. The rescheduling of the iPhone Fold’s mass production to August implies that Apple will have a shorter timeframe to ready itself for initial demand, potentially complicating consumer purchases of the device at launch.
#### Consequences of the Delay
The postponement in mass production raises apprehensions about Apple’s capacity to fulfill initial demand for the iPhone Fold. With an abbreviated production timeline, the device still needs to pass several essential testing phases, including Design Validation Testing (DVT) and Production Validation Testing (PVT), before commencing full-scale manufacturing. The recent delays in the Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) phase could further strain the schedule.
Insiders within the supply chain have suggested that while mass production has been postponed, Apple is still targeting a 2026 unveiling. This indicates that the company is operating under a more constrained timeline, which may pose additional risks as the launch date approaches.
#### Market Predictions
9to5Mac’s assessment indicates that Apple plans to unveil the iPhone Fold alongside the iPhone 18 Pro in September. However, the expected supply of the iPhone Fold at launch is projected to be quite limited due to the production holdups. Although Apple has encountered various hurdles in the iPhone Fold’s development, many analysts agree that these problems will not lead to a major delay in the launch.
The ongoing ambiguity surrounding the iPhone Fold’s release has ignited conversations among consumers and industry observers alike. Many are left questioning whether Apple will manage to deliver the device on schedule or if additional delays might be forthcoming.
#### Conclusion
As the launch of the iPhone Fold draws near, the situation remains dynamic. While Apple is intent on debuting the device in 2026, the recent production delays have brought forth uncertainties regarding availability and consumer access at launch. The upcoming months will be critical for Apple as it tackles these obstacles and readies itself for one of its most groundbreaking product launches to date.
