From 9to5Mac · 40 stories
OpenAI Shuts Down Atlas Browser, Launches ChatGPT Work as Replacement
OpenAI has shut down its ChatGPT Atlas browser, integrating its browsing capabilities into the new ChatGPT Work desktop app. This shift supports productivity features and includes the new GPT-5.6 model, focusing on task automation across various workplace apps. The transition highlights OpenAI's strategy to centralize AI functionalities, coinciding with their milestones and IPO plans.
ClickFix Social Engineering Attack Raises Cybersecurity Concerns
The ClickFix attack method, based on social engineering with fake prompts leading to manual malware execution, is growing in popularity, targeting Microsoft 365 accounts, Mac users, and more. The attacks bypass traditional security by exploiting user habits, presenting a significant threat to organizational and individual cyber defenses. This trend is concerning as it shows an evolution in cybercrime techniques, requiring awareness and new defensive measures.
U.S. Greenlights Public Rollout of OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Amid Regulatory Controls
The U.S. government has approved OpenAI's GPT-5.6 models for public release on July 9, ending a period of limited access due to regulatory scrutiny. The launch of these models, including Sol, Terra, and Luna, follows compliance with federal cybersecurity reviews intended to manage AI model rollouts. This episode highlights the tension between advancing AI capabilities and the increasing regulatory oversight.
Apple's iOS 27 and watchOS 27 Betas Introduce Advanced Siri AI
Apple has released public betas for iOS 27 and watchOS 27, which feature significant advancements in Siri AI capabilities. The updates include new customization options for Siri's voice, a dedicated Siri app, and enhancements to on-device processing for more complex user interactions. These upgrades signal a major step in evolving Apple devices' functionalities and user experiences.
Google's Gemini Spark AI Assistant Launches on macOS with New Features
Google's Gemini Spark AI assistant is now available on macOS with enhanced integration for managing files and interacting with Google Workspace apps. The update, currently in beta for Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S., includes faster processing and expanded capabilities in Google Docs, Sheets, and Presentations. This launch widens the competition with other desktop AI agents, marking a significant step in AI integration on desktop platforms.
SpaceXAI Releases Grok Bot AI Agent and Grok 4.6 Model, Completes Cursor Acquisition
SpaceXAI, which recently completed its acquisition of AI coding company Cursor, has launched Grok Bot, an AI agent for Mac, iOS, Windows, and Linux, designed to automate tasks across applications. Concurrently, the company released Grok 4.6, an updated AI model that scores 61 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, matching GPT-5.6 Sol and offering competitive pricing for long-running agents, coding, and knowledge work.
US Bans Foreign-Made Robots and Power Inverters, Citing National Security Risks
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the import of new foreign-made "advanced robotic devices" and power inverters, citing national security concerns. This measure, which primarily impacts Chinese manufacturers, includes humanoid robots, quadruped robots, and robot vacuum cleaners, as well as components used in data centers and renewable energy systems. China has threatened retaliation, stating the ban "severely damages" economic and trade stability.
Anthropic Expands Claude Science and Cowork Platforms for Enhanced Science and Utility
Anthropic introduced Claude Science, an AI workbench to streamline scientific research workflows, integrating NVIDIA's BioNeMo Agent Toolkit for enhanced computational capabilities. Concurrently, Anthropic expanded its Claude Cowork tool to mobile and web, allowing broader task management and reflecting a shift from coding to general admin tasks. These expansions underscore Anthropic's strategy to deepen its impact across life sciences and general productivity sectors.
Meta Launches Facebook Creator Studio App for iPhone with AI Tools
Meta has released a new stand-alone Facebook Creator Studio app for iPhone, featuring AI-powered tools to assist creators with content management and audience engagement. The app provides personalized tips and an AI assistant for performance analysis, aiming to retain creators on the platform amidst competition.
OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra Achieves High Scores on ARC-AGI-3 Benchmark
OpenAI has released GPT-6 Astra, its latest AI model, which achieved a 99.9% score on the ARC-AGI-3 benchmark using a provider adapter harness. This marks a significant improvement over its predecessor, GPT-5.6 Sol, which scored 7.8%, and demonstrates the model's ability to navigate unfamiliar interactive environments and create symbolic world models.
Rumors Suggest iPhone 18 Pro Max Will Feature Larger Battery and Increased Weight
Leaks suggest that the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a significantly larger battery of up to 5,567mAh, compared to 5,088mAh in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and may weigh more at 240g, attributed to the increased battery size. These changes are expected to impact the model's weight and differentiate it further from the iPhone 18 Pro. Verification of these details is still pending due to the unconfirmed nature of the leaks.
FBI Investigates Dark Web Service Selling 153M+ US and Canadian Driver's Licenses
A new dark web service, Nexus, is selling digital scans of over 153 million driver's licenses from individuals in the United States and Canada, prompting an official inquiry by the FBI's New Orleans field office. The images appear to originate from a widely-used identity verification company based in Louisiana, indicating a significant data breach impacting personal identification. This incident highlights a major vulnerability in identity verification processes and poses a substantial risk for identity theft for millions of individuals.
Apple Sues OpenAI Over Alleged Trade Secret Theft in Hardware Development
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the AI company stole trade secrets through the hiring of former Apple employees to aid in developing its hardware products. The lawsuit mentions OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan and former Apple engineer Chang Liu as central figures in the alleged misconduct. This legal conflict signifies ongoing tension and competition in the tech industry regarding intellectual property.
Apple Reportedly Preparing Three New Smart Home Devices for Launch
Apple is reportedly preparing to launch three new smart home devices: an updated Apple TV, a new HomePod mini, and a smart home hub with a 7-inch display. These products are expected to feature faster chips to support enhanced Siri AI capabilities and expand Apple's presence in the smart home market.
Claude Mythos 5 AI Cybersecurity Capabilities Expanded, $35M Fund for Open-Source Security
Claude Mythos 5, an AI model for cybersecurity, is now available in Claude Security and will integrate into partner tools. The company also launched a $35 million fund to support open-source software security and plans to expand its Cyber Verification Program. These actions aim to broaden access to advanced AI for defensive cybersecurity while maintaining safeguards against misuse.
Apple Ramps Up Production of Foldable iPhone Ultra Amid High Demand
Apple plans to increase production of its first foldable iPhone, tentatively named 'iPhone Ultra', to 10 million units for its scheduled launch in September 2026. This adjustment from initial estimates reflects rising demand expectations despite potential supply constraints. The phone's price is expected to be between $2300 and $2500, influencing the broader foldable market. Apple aims to release multiple iPhone models by 2027, navigating component shortages via expanded sourcing arrangements.
Magnet Forensics Develops Tool to Bypass iPhone's Inactivity Reboot Feature
Magnet Forensics, maker of the GrayKey device, has developed a new tool called GrayKey Preserve and an Evidence Preservation Mode to bypass Apple's iOS inactivity reboot feature. This allows law enforcement to access data on iPhones that would otherwise become inaccessible after 72 hours of inactivity, addressing a concern for police agencies. The new tools also preserve data that iOS automatically deletes after a certain period.
Best Free CarPlay Apps Identified After Extensive Testing
A comprehensive test of free CarPlay apps has identified the best options for music and navigation. These apps enhance in-car experiences by projecting smartphone functionality on larger screens with user-friendly interfaces.
HP Launches OmniBook 5 14 Laptop with OLED Display Starting at $699.99
HP introduced the 2026 HP OmniBook 5 14 laptop, featuring an OLED display across all configurations and starting at $699.99. The device includes Intel Core 5 or Core 7 processors, up to 16GB RAM, and up to 1TB SSD storage, positioning it as a competitor in the budget-friendly laptop market.
Reddit Restricts Old Reddit Access and Ends RSS Support Citing AI Scraping
Reddit is implementing new restrictions on its 'Old Reddit' interface and discontinuing support for RSS feeds, effective November 13. These changes are part of the company's efforts to combat large-scale data scraping and automated abuse, particularly from AI bots. Additionally, Reddit plans to end public API access by March 2027.
EU Proposes Age Restrictions on Children's Social Media Access
The EU is considering legislation to restrict children's social media access, emphasizing mental health and safety. The proposal targets users under 13 with a phased access for teenagers, contingent on platforms proving safety. This responds to concerns over excessive social media usage and potential mental health impacts.
Anthropic Launches Reflect Dashboard for Claude and Secure 1Password Integration
Anthropic introduced a Reflect dashboard for Claude, allowing users to analyze their AI usage. Additionally, 1Password has enabled Claude to use credentials securely without exposing them, protecting user data.
Teen drops social media addiction lawsuit against Meta after settlements with other platforms
A Florida teenager, identified as R.K.C., dropped his social media addiction lawsuit against Meta just days before a Los Angeles jury trial was set to begin. This decision followed R.K.C.'s settlements with TikTok, Snap, and YouTube, leaving Meta to avoid a trial without making a payment in this specific case. The lawsuit was part of a larger legal trend accusing social media companies of designing addictive platforms harmful to young users.
Meta Platforms Ran Over 50 Ads Featuring AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
Meta ran over 50 paid advertisements containing AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and sexually suggestive images of minors across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Threads. These ads, discovered by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP), were active for nine months and reached audiences in the US, UK, and over a dozen European countries, indicating a failure in Meta's content moderation and ad review processes.
Trump Threatens EU with Tariffs Over Fines on US Tech Giants
Donald Trump announced his administration will launch a trade probe into the European Union, threatening substantial tariffs in response to EU fines against US tech companies like Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon. This action follows a recent $1 billion fine against Google for alleged non-compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act, which scrutinizes Big Tech practices.
Meta updates smart glasses to disable camera if privacy light tampered
Meta is releasing a mandatory update for its smart glasses that disables the camera if the privacy LED is tampered with. This initiative addresses privacy concerns and misuse incidents involving covert recording. The update coincides with reports of new Meta glasses that may continuously record without a privacy light, raising further privacy issues.
Meta's Muse Image AI Faces Privacy Backlash, Feature Disabled
Meta launched Muse Image, an AI tool allowing users to create images from public Instagram photos, leading to privacy concerns. Following user backlash, Meta disabled the feature, which had allowed images to be generated using others' Instagram posts without their consent.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 to feature AI-powered daily recaps using sensor data
The upcoming Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 will include a new AI feature that generates daily recaps of user activities and conversations by utilizing microphone, GPS, and other sensor data. This development positions the Apple Watch as a competitor in the AI wearable market, offering automated personal assistance for logging daily events.
Apple Issues New Spyware Threat Notifications to Users in 110 Countries
Apple has sent out a new round of threat notifications to users in 110 countries, warning them of potential mercenary spyware attacks on their iPhones, iPads, or Macs. These notifications, which now appear directly on the iPhone lock screen, advise users on steps to protect their data and devices, including enabling Lockdown Mode. This marks an update to Apple's ongoing effort to alert specific individuals, such as journalists, activists, and diplomats, who are often targets of such sophisticated attacks.
Meta Releases Muse Code AI Coding Agent and Open-Source Muse Glimmer Model
Meta has launched Muse Code, a terminal-based AI coding agent for macOS and Linux, powered by its new Muse Spark 1.2 model. Concurrently, Meta released Muse Glimmer, a 30-billion-parameter open-weight model designed for local execution of AI agents on consumer hardware. These releases mark Meta's entry into the AI coding agent market and its renewed focus on open-weight models for on-device AI.
Anthropic Releases Claude Opus 5, Offering Near Fable 5 Performance at Half the Cost
Anthropic has released Claude Opus 5, a new AI model that approaches the intelligence of its flagship Fable 5 model but at half the price. Opus 5 is now the default model for Claude Max subscribers and the strongest available for Claude Pro users, offering improved performance in coding and knowledge work while maintaining the token cost of its predecessor, Opus 4.8.
Apple Launches AirPods 5 with Enhanced Noise Cancellation and AI Features
Apple introduced the AirPods 5, featuring a redesigned acoustic architecture and 50% better active noise cancellation than the AirPods 4. Both models now include Active Noise Cancellation, making the feature available at the entry-level price point, and integrate hands-free Siri AI capabilities.
Apple Revamps iOS 27 for iPhone Duo Foldable, Adds Apple Pencil Support
Apple has redesigned iOS 27 for its new foldable iPhone Duo, adapting controls and app layouts for the device's multiple screens and flexible display. The iPhone Duo will also be the first iPhone to support Apple Pencil, with USB-C Pencil support expected later this year.
Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Fold 8 Series and Watch 9 at Unpacked Event
Samsung announced its latest devices at the Galaxy Unpacked event held on July 22 in London. The event debuted the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, including a new Ultra model, and the Galaxy Watch 9. The Z Fold 8 series introduces wider designs and improved displays featuring 'Flex Titanium' technology to reduce crease visibility. Samsung also announced preorder incentives and pricing, reflecting higher component costs and competition from Apple's potential foldable devices.
Apple to Launch Redesigned Entry-Level MacBook Pro with Touchscreen in 2027
Apple is reportedly planning to redesign its entry-level MacBook Pro, targeting a release in the first half of 2027. The update will align the model with higher-end versions by introducing a touchscreen and potentially a thinner form factor. The move is part of a broader strategy to integrate advanced features and chips across Apple's device lineup.
Google Pixel 11 Series Leaks Reveal New Colors, Pixel Glow Feature and Pricing
Ahead of its August 12 launch, Google's Pixel 11 series leaks reveal new color options like 'Pine' and 'Fuchsia' and introduce the 'Pixel Glow' feature, a multi-colored LED light integrated in the camera bar. The leaks include design changes for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold with a narrower camera bar and price increases of approximately €100. This matters as Google shifts its strategy in the competitive smartphone market.
Apple Plans 'Apple Upgrade' Device Leasing Program Launch on July 28
Apple is reportedly launching 'Apple Upgrade,' a new leasing program for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, starting July 28. Partnering with Klarna, the program offers 24- to 36-month leases with lower monthly payments but excludes certain budget-friendly models. Existing programs like the iPhone Upgrade Program will be phased out.
Google Introduces Selfie Video for Account Sign-in and Recovery
Google has launched a new selfie video option for account sign-in and recovery, allowing users to regain access by recording a short video of their face. This feature provides an alternative verification method, particularly useful when traditional authentication methods are unavailable, by comparing a live video to a securely stored reference video.
iPhone 18 Pro Features New Variable Aperture Camera for Enhanced Photography
Apple has introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, featuring a new 48MP Fusion Main camera with a variable aperture. This upgrade allows for control over the amount of light entering the lens, improving low-light photography and depth of field, bringing new creative control to iPhone users.
WhatsApp Introduces Optional Parental Controls for Teen Accounts
WhatsApp has rolled out new optional parental controls for teenage users, allowing parents to manage privacy settings, monitor group activity, and set content restrictions for Meta AI chats. These controls enable guardians to receive notifications when a teen joins or leaves a group, manage who can add teens to groups, and choose between a default 13+ setting or a stricter 'Limited Content' option for Meta AI. The update comes as tech companies face increased pressure to enhance child safety features on their platforms.