Table of contents for #732 in AppleMagazine

A new academic study has found that large language models (LLMs), including leading systems developed by major technology companies, continue to struggle when asked to differentiate between verifiable facts and human beliefs. The research, published this week by the University of Cambridge, examined how AI models interpret statements about the physical world, historical events, and social norms, concluding that even advanced systems often conflate truth with consensus or opinion. Researchers tested multiple state-of-the-art language models under controlled conditions designed to probe their internal understanding of factual accuracy. When presented with prompts requiring clear factual reasoning—such as “The Earth orbits the Sun” versus belief-based statements like “Some people believe the Earth is flat”—the systems frequently blurred the distinction, returning responses that reflected popular sentiment rather than objective truth. HOW THE EXPERIMENT…

Apple will begin rolling out its Live Translation feature for AirPods across the European Union next month, expanding the real-time language functionality that debuted earlier this year in select regions. The update integrates Apple’s on-device intelligence system with Siri and the Translate app, enabling AirPods to translate conversations in real time between multiple supported languages. The rollout follows several months of regional testing and regulatory review, marking one of the largest functional updates to Apple’s audio lineup since adaptive audio was introduced in 2023. Apple confirmed that the Live Translation capability will be available on AirPods Pro (2nd generation), AirPods Max, and the latest AirPods 4 models, requiring iOS 18.1 or later for full functionality. HOW THE FEATURE WORKS Live Translation uses the same on-device language models that power Apple’s…

Google has revealed Project Suncatcher, an experimental initiative that reimagines how large-scale computing could evolve beyond Earth’s surface. The project envisions space-based data centers powered entirely by solar energy, using orbital positioning to deliver continuous, carbon-free power for AI workloads. The program represents one of Google’s most ambitious research efforts yet—a convergence of aerospace engineering, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy design. By placing compute clusters in low-Earth orbit, the company aims to overcome terrestrial limits on land, cooling, and energy availability, while leveraging the uninterrupted exposure to sunlight that space offers. The concept also highlights a growing realization among major technology firms: the future of computing infrastructure may not remain confined to the planet. For Google, Suncatcher is less about a single mission and more about developing a framework for…

Apple has released a set of critical security updates for iOS and iPadOS, addressing vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, and gain unauthorized access to user data. The company confirmed that several of the flaws may have been actively exploited, urging all users to install the latest patches without delay. The update, issued this week, affects iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, with similar fixes delivered to macOS and watchOS. Apple credited multiple independent researchers and internal teams for identifying the vulnerabilities, which span components including WebKit, Kernel, and foundational system frameworks. DETAILS OF THE SECURITY FLAWS Apple’s security documentation lists more than a dozen vulnerabilities addressed in this update. Among the most serious are WebKit flaws that could allow maliciously crafted web content to execute…

A new theoretical study published this week proposes that self-replicating robotic probes, capable of constructing copies of themselves using materials found on asteroids and moons, could revolutionize the future of solar system exploration. The concept—long discussed in science fiction and advanced propulsion circles—is now being modeled with unprecedented scientific precision, offering a potential blueprint for how humanity might scale space exploration without continuous Earth-based manufacturing. Researchers from the University of Strathclyde and the European Space Agency (ESA) examined how autonomous machines could extract raw materials, refine metals, and assemble functioning replicas on celestial bodies rich in resources. Their models suggest that with current advances in robotic mining, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), and AI-driven fabrication, such probes could, within decades, expand exploration exponentially—creating networks of machines that extend from Earth’s orbit…

OpenAI has signed a $38 billion agreement with Amazon to run portions of its AI workloads on Amazon Web Services (AWS), extending the company’s computing base beyond Microsoft’s Azure platform. The deal, described by both companies as a long-term infrastructure partnership, secures OpenAI access to additional data-center capacity and high-performance hardware for training and serving its models across multiple regions. The collaboration makes AWS one of OpenAI’s principal cloud providers and marks one of the largest infrastructure contracts in the artificial-intelligence sector to date. Amazon said the partnership will support OpenAI’s large-scale model operations through compute clusters, storage systems, and networking designed for continuous AI training. Neither company disclosed a timeline for deployment, but both confirmed that implementation has already begun across selected regions in North America and Europe. OPENAI…

The Apple Vision Pro is a powerhouse machine, and its latest upgrade features the powerful M5 chip, a redesigned Dual Knit Band for all-day comfort, and visionOS 26, loaded with AI smarts and immersive features, all designed to take spatial computing to a whole new level. M5 CHIP At the heart of this upgrade is Apple's M5 chip, a beast built on third-generation 3-nanometer process tech. For Vision Pro users, it translates to a "leap forward in performance," as Bob Borchers, Apple's VP of Worldwide Product Marketing, put it during the announcement. The chip's 10-core CPU efficiently handles multithreaded tasks, significantly reducing app load times and making web browsing feel buttery smooth, even when juggling multiple spatial windows. But the real magic happens on the graphics side. The upgraded 10-core…

Apple launched a web-based App Store that lets people browse listings, sign in with an Apple ID, purchase, and trigger installs from any modern browser. The interface mirrors the on-device experience with ratings, screenshots, version notes, and compatibility information, and web purchases sync to a user’s iPhone, iPad, or Mac once the account is authenticated. Apple says the rollout is live in supported regions with localization, account controls, and the standard review and refund policies that apply to native storefront transactions. The site adopts Apple’s current design language with responsive layouts for desktop and mobile. Pages load app metadata in the same structure developers maintain in App Store Connect, including descriptions, price tiers, subscription terms, and privacy labels. Universal links route to the correct platform build, and remote install prompts…

Amazon has issued a legal warning to Perplexity, the rapidly growing AI search startup, accusing it of violating data use policies through its new “agentic shopping” feature—a tool that allows users to browse, compare, and purchase products directly through conversational interaction. The notice, reported this week, marks one of the first public clashes between a tech giant and an emerging AI platform over how generative models access and process commercial data. According to sources familiar with the matter, Amazon’s legal team claims that Perplexity’s shopping assistant pulls product information, prices, and reviews from Amazon’s marketplace in ways that breach the retailer’s terms of service. The letter alleges that Perplexity “scrapes and redistributes” listings without authorization, bypassing Amazon’s official APIs and misrepresenting product availability. Perplexity denies the claims, asserting that its…

Apple has captured a 28 percent value share in India’s smartphone market, marking its highest level in the country to date. The milestone, reported in the latest data from Counterpoint Research, underscores Apple’s growing influence in one of the world’s fastest-expanding mobile economies. India has now become the third-largest iPhone market globally by shipment volume, following the United States and China. The figures highlight the shifting dynamics of the premium smartphone segment in India, where Apple’s sustained focus on retail presence, manufacturing expansion, and financing programs has helped the company reach record local sales. The growth arrives amid a broader slowdown in global smartphone demand, underscoring how India’s maturing consumer base continues to play an outsized role in Apple’s long-term market strategy. INDIA’S PREMIUM MARKET MOMENTUM Counterpoint’s report indicates that…

Shares of quantum computing companies have surged and plunged in rapid succession this year, drawing comparisons to past speculative frenzies in frontier technologies. A handful of high-profile startups—some still years away from profitable commercialization—have seen valuations swing wildly as investors bet on the long-term promise of machines that could someday outclass traditional supercomputers in solving complex scientific and financial problems. According to Reuters, the sector’s volatility intensified in recent weeks after several quantum firms announced breakthroughs in qubit stability and error correction, only for subsequent filings and earnings reports to reveal widening losses and uncertain paths to revenue. For retail traders and venture funds alike, the result has been a roller-coaster market defined by exuberance, hype, and technical opacity—where stock prices often move faster than the science itself. SURGING INTEREST…

Apple is reportedly preparing a new line of lower-cost MacBooks aimed at the education and entry-level markets, a move that could place the company in more direct competition with Google’s Chromebook ecosystem. The device, still in the early stages of development, is said to retain Apple’s signature aluminum design but feature a scaled-back configuration and a more affordable price point than the current MacBook Air lineup. Sources suggest that the project has been in consideration since mid-2024, as Apple explores ways to expand its Mac segment into markets historically dominated by Chromebooks. The company’s goal appears to be balancing build quality and performance while reaching a price bracket accessible to schools and cost-conscious consumers. POSITIONING IN THE EDUCATION MARKET Education has long been a strategic but challenging market for Apple.…

Google is rolling out a major artificial intelligence update to Google Maps, introducing conversational capabilities that allow users to interact more naturally with the app to find destinations, plan routes, and explore surroundings. The update, announced this week, integrates the company’s latest Gemini-based AI models directly into Maps, enabling users to describe what they’re looking for in plain language—whether it’s “a cozy coffee shop open now” or “a scenic route to the coast.” The addition marks one of the largest AI-driven transformations in Google Maps since its introduction more than fifteen years ago. The conversational model blends local search, real-time data, and visual understanding to provide results that feel more intuitive and contextually aware. It moves beyond simple navigation, turning Maps into a dynamic assistant that can understand intent, preferences,…

Nintendo has released its first-ever official Store app for iPhone and iPad, allowing users to browse and purchase games, consoles, and exclusive merchandise directly from their mobile devices. The app, available globally starting this week, brings the company’s online retail experience into Apple’s ecosystem for the first time, expanding accessibility ahead of the busy holiday season. The new app mirrors the functionality of Nintendo’s web-based store but introduces a mobile-optimized interface that integrates seamlessly with Apple’s payment and notification systems. Users can explore product categories, read descriptions, manage wish lists, and complete purchases with Apple Pay support. According to the company, the launch aims to make shopping for Nintendo products “as intuitive and interactive as the games themselves.” A NEW SHOPPING EXPERIENCE FOR FANS Nintendo’s Store app features an interface…

Microsoft announced plans to develop a new network of artificial intelligence data centers in the United Arab Emirates, using Nvidia’s Blackwell processors to expand its global computing infrastructure. The project is part of Microsoft’s continued investment in regional AI capacity and follows months of collaboration between the company, the UAE government, and Nvidia to accelerate the deployment of next-generation chips in strategic markets. The initiative was revealed during a technology event in Abu Dhabi, where Microsoft executives outlined the first phase of construction under the company’s Azure cloud division. The deployment will focus on data-intensive workloads such as model training, enterprise AI services, and cloud-based computing for regional developers. Microsoft said the centers will connect to its existing global network through high-speed links, allowing customers in the Middle East to…