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This Pixel feature made me ditch phone cases after more than a decade
One of the best things about switching to a new phone brand is constantly discovering cool new (exclusive) features. In the case of my Pixel 10 Pro, I've already started using features like Now Playing and Pixel Screenshots on a daily basis, with the latest exclusive feature to catch my attention being Quick Tap. But there's a catch.
iOS 27 finally fixes Liquid Glass, but the real story is the new Gemini-powered Siri
Apple has unveiled iOS 27 at WWDC 2026, and the centerpieces are a new, Google Gemini-powered Siri, as well as fixing the Liquid Glass interface, and other issues that have dogged iPhone owners for months or years.
These are the only Windows startup apps you actually need to disable
Like me, you probably don't reboot your Windows PC that often, but when you do you might notice that there are a lot of apps that open at startup. Sure, modern computers are fast, and you probably have enough RAM to handle it all, but what's the point of loading a bunch of apps at startup that you won't necessarily use?
Apple finally unveils long-awaited Apple Intelligence updates at WWDC 2026
At WWDC 2026, Craig Federighi, Apple's Senior VP of Software Engineering, announced a suite of new updates to Apple Intelligence. It powers Siri AI, Apple's revamped AI assistant, which is more conversational, more expressive, and now available in its own standalone app. Apple Intelligence also adds new features to apps like Photos, Messages, and Mail.
Federighi announced that “Apple Foundation Models” would be at the heart of new Apple Intelligence tools. These models will run on private servers using cloud compute and will be powered by Google Gemini models.
The new models will deliver visual intelligence capabilities, improved language understanding, and enhanced transcription. In many respects, these Apple Intelligence tools bring Apple in line with its competitors, Google and Samsung, whose devices already offer similar AI tools.
Apple Foundation Models will be powered by Google Gemini models. Credit: AppleFederighi emphasized the importance of privacy to Apple Intelligence: "Privacy in AI is non-negotiable," he said. The new Apple Intelligence tools will use a combination of on-device processing and cloud compute, and Federighi said that users' conversations would not be used for AI training.
Siri AI will be able to access the web and draw on real-world knowledge, as well as some of the apps on a user’s phone. It will even be able to analyze the screen to understand the app a user is currently using.
Apple Intelligence is getting upgraded. Credit: AppleSiri AI will also provide real-time context for iPhone users. As Apple explained, if a user is on the phone with an airline’s customer support, their phone will automatically pull together relevant documents or links from across their other apps. This will happen on-device for added privacy.
While this feature sounds practical, Apple is very much playing catch-up. Similar features already exist for Android and Pixel users.
Members of the Apple Developer Program can test these new features starting today. They'll arrive in a public beta next month, before launching publicly as a free software update this fall.
For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.
No timeline for availability: Apples new Siri AI will be very late in the EU
Apple's new Siri AI will, once again, be a little late, especially in some regions.
The company originally announced that a new, smarter Siri would return in 2024. It took two years for those vague promises to take the form of Siri AI, which the company announced during the WWDC 2026 keynote.
Alas, Siri still won't be equally distributed at launch. According to Apple's SVP of engineering, Craig Federighi, Siri AI in beta is now available to developers, and it's coming to end users "this fall."
SEE ALSO: Apple gives Safari a makeover at WWDC 2026But not for users in the European Union and China. In both cases, Siri AI will be available at an undefined time in the future, as Apple works through regulatory hurdles. This isn't a huge surprise, given that Apple Intelligence was initially unavailable in these regions, but it's still a disappointment to millions of Apple users.
Apple explained the issues in a blog post published on Monday.
"Unfortunately, due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple will not be able to ship Siri AI in the European Union with the release of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. Over the past several months, EU regulators did not accept any of Apple’s proposed solutions to bring Siri AI to the EU while safely supporting other virtual assistants," the company wrote.
SEE ALSO: Apple gives Safari a makeover at WWDC 2026The issue, it seems, is not so much with Siri itself, but with other virtual assistants, which don't get the same playing ground as Siri. "Under EU regulators’ extreme interpretation of the DMA, Apple would have to give any virtual assistant direct access to users’ private data — and the ability to directly control other installed applications," wrote Apple.
Apple says it did figure out a solution. Called the Trusted System Agent, it's an "intermediary that would allow virtual assistants to safely access the same features and capabilities as Siri AI for devices in the EU." The plan was to gradually release Siri in the EU over an (ouch) 18-month period. But once again, according to Apple, "the European Commission did not agree to any of Apple’s proposals."
The bad news is that, according to Apple, "there is currently no timeline for Siri AI’s availability in the EU on iOS and iPadOS."
Not great, but we're hoping for a solution, and we bet Apple is, too.
For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.
Skip the Crown Signia—This real luxury SUV is plusher and costs thousands less
For buyers shopping in the premium SUV market, the appeal of entry-level luxury alternatives has never been stronger. Models that blur the line between mainstream and luxury promise upscale interiors, advanced technology, and premium comfort without the high ownership costs typically associated with established luxury brands. The question is whether they can truly deliver the same experience.
Siri Mode coming to the iPhone Camera app
Siri is coming to the iPhone Camera app, the company announced at WWDC.
Back in May, Mashable reported on Camera upgrade rumors, including an integration with Siri AI, and it was confirmed today. With Visual Intelligence, Siri Mode will be able to "see what you see" and be able to tell you more information about it. You can translate text and identify plants, or even get nutritional insights when you point your Camera at a plate of food (and also split the check that way, too).
Credit: Screenshot: AppleSome Camera rumors didn't pan out, though — at least not on the first day of WWDC. These included that the Camera would soon have widgets and be customizable in iOS 27. Default controls (like Night Mode, Flash, and Live Photos) won't go away, but the leak hinted that advanced options would also be available.
For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.
iOS 27 Beta release: What time and where to download it
It's almost time to try out the next evolution of Apple's iOS.
Apple finally pulled the veil off iOS 27 on Monday, after months of anticipation. It to includes a brand-new AI-powered Siri, as well as plenty of other little quality-of-life improvements across the iPhone experience. The announcement happened during Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference keynote at 1 p.m. ET, and we have a live blog you can follow to keep track of the latest news.
WWDC keynote day almost always heralds the release of the first new iOS beta. Here's when you can expect it to be available and how to get in on the action.
SEE ALSO: Apple WWDC 2026 keynote livestream: Watch live today Apple iOS 27 beta: Release time and how to downloadApple will launch iOS 27 this fall. You can expect the first developer beta for iOS 27 to be available sometime Monday afternoon, following the WWDC keynote. Apple also confirmed that there will be a second public beta later, and that distinction matters for how you experience these betas.
For the beta that's releasing on Monday, you'll need to register for developer betas. That probably sounds more daunting than it actually is; Apple doesn't charge any money for access to developer betas or anything like that. All you have to do is register on Apple's developer website with your Apple account and device. Once you're all registered and set to go, here is a quick set of instructions for how to get the beta on your iPhone:
Restart your iPhone
Open Settings
Go to General, then Software Update
Tap Beta Updates
If you correctly registered for developer betas and the beta itself is available, you'll see it there for download. Just remember that this is an unfinished beta intended primarily for developers, so installing it on your phone might carry some risk. It's best to create a backup in advance.
When can I get the iOS 27 public beta?Apple confirmed the public beta will be available later in June.
Amid protest, Apple announces Ask to browse, other child safety tools
Apple unveiled a new suite of child safety tools and family experiences at this year's WWDC, spending significant time highlighting the new features as the tech industry grapples with age verification and online safety.
The company's new Child Accounts features, which are available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, include parental monitoring tools like Ask to Browse, a feature that requires minor users to get permission to surf the internet or go on specific websites.
SEE ALSO: Apple WWDC 2026 keynote event: Live updates on iOS 27 and SiriParents have already had the option to set up child accounts under Apple's Family Sharing experience, which includes age-appropriate content tools, screen time oversight, App Store controls, and communication limits.
Apple is also building upon the existing features with new ways to manage your children's time online, as advocates and experts increasingly warn about the long-term effects of social media and screen time. During the WWDC announcement, Apple acknowledged growing guidance to keep children under 13 offline.
Credit: AppleWith the parental control upgrades, parents can now more easily adjust communication limits and see recommended screen time controls for child users. Parents can fine tune device usage with new time-of-day app limits and screen time settings. Apple's existing content blurring feature, which censors nudity automatically, will expand to content depicting graphic violence or gore, as well.
Credit: AppleMany of these features already exist on child-specific devices, such as the Bark phone.
While Apple took WWDC attendees on a tour of its new child safety features, a group of child safety advocates led by the nonprofits Heat Initiative and UltraViolet staged a demonstration in front of Apple's headquarters. The group unfurled a large banner with the words "Apple is powered by child sexual abuse. John Ternus, what will you do?" calling on the incoming CEO to address the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Apple devices. The group staged a similar protest at last year's event ahead of the iPhone 17 launch, building on previous calls to introduce CSAM detection on Apple products.
"Today marks the fifth time since 2023 that advocates have come to Apple to demand they remove child sexual abuse images and videos from iCloud–unfortunately, in those three years Apple has continued to make money off of storing and sharing illegal videos and photos," said Sarah Gardner, CEO of Heat Initiative. "Apple no longer just hosts these images and videos on iCloud, it profits from apps in its App Store that can be used to deepfake, undress, and create AI child sexual abuse material of any child. Tim Cook took Apple from bad to worse, but John Ternus can pick a different way forward–it’s time for him to choose if he stands with children and survivors."
For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.
Apple gives Safari a makeover at WWDC 2026
Apple's longtime flagship web browser got a facelift at WWDC 2026.
At its annual software keynote in Cupertino, Apple took some time to showcase what's new in Safari. The first thing to note is that Safari can now use Apple Intelligence to sort your dozens of open tabs into distinct topics and even automatically add new tabs to those topics. It can also automatically monitor pages using a feature called Notify Me; tell Safari what you're looking for using natural language, and you'll get a notification later if something happens.
SEE ALSO: Apple unveils iOS 27 at WWDC 2026Users can also use natural language to describe browser extensions, with one example being a way to save recipes on-screen. There's also a new security feature that will notify you of compromised account passwords and let you update them all at once using AI.
Apple didn't spend a ton of time talking about Safari, but these updates are sure to be useful to someone.
For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.
3 exciting Netflix thrillers to watch this week (June 8-14)
Netflix released two noteworthy movies this past weekend. The first was Office Romance, a charming rom-com with Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein. The other was México 86, a satirical comedy about Mexico's quest to become the first country to host multiple World Cups. Both movies deserve a spot in your queue.
NVIDIA's ARM chipset and early Wi-Fi 8 routers: How-To Geek's favorite tech of Computex 2026
Unlike CES or MWC, which are fairly consumer-focused trade shows, the annual Computex Taipei event is traditionally a "B2B" affair. Boring! Still, we made a point to attend, and it's a good thing we did. Some of the greatest tech innovations of 2026 (or maybe even the decade) made their debut during Computex, including a few surprises that may completely change how the average person interacts with computers at a fundamental level. Hello, RTX Spark! Nice to meet you, Arc G3!
Apple announces macOS 27 Golden Gate at WWDC: New Siri AI tools, Liquid Glass tweaks
At WWDC 2026, Apple announced the official name for the next macOS operating system.
During the keynote address, Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, announced that macOS 27 will officially be called Golden Gate.
The tongue-in-cheek announcement poked fun at macOS's long history of California-themed names, with trippy visuals and a Volkswagen van.
Credit: AppleAlong with the official macOS name, Apple shared that today's WWDC announcements for macOS will revolve around three priorities across its operating system: Platform improvements, trust and safety, and a big leap forward for Apple Intelligence.
Ask Siri AI via Spotlight Credit: AppleApple also finally announced its new assistant, Siri AI, a revamped version of the old Siri, and it's deeply integrated in the new macOS 27 UX as well.
Siri AI appears on macOS 27 as a small chatbot window on the screen. Users can start typing questions in Spotlight, and the feature will automatically realize that this is a prompt to hand off to Siri AI. Users can right-click a file or even multiple files and the new context menu will include a prompt box to ask Siri questions based on the content of those files.
Siri AI will be able to help users write and proofread documents across platforms in apps like Mail, Messages, and more.
Ask Siri AI about files from the context menu Credit: AppleApple also announced a slew of small, yet significant improvements to macOS. For example, the company is adding a more uniform toolbar at the top of apps on macOS 27 to answer user complaints about Liquid Glass.
In addition, Apple will be introducing new child and teen safety tools to all of its operating systems. (Learn more at a new dedicated safety hub at apple.com/child-safety/.
This piece will be updated with more macOS 27 news as Apple announces it.
This is a developing story...
For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.
Apples new, smarter Siri AI is finally here
Apple's Siri used to be the bleeding edge of what smart assistants can do, back in 2011 when Apple originally integrated it into the iPhone. That was a long time ago, and things have changed.
Once ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude launched and showed the world what a truly smart chatbot can do, Siri felt very basic in comparison. Apple promised an overhaul back in 2024, and it still hadn't happened prior to today, despite constant promises that the company is working hard to improve its smart assistant.
Siri can actually chat with you now. Credit: AppleAhead of WWDC 2026, a bevy of reports and rumors gave us an outline of what we can expect from the new Siri, including a standalone app, a redesign, a Google Gemini-based AI brain (with options to invoke other third-party chatbots), all with a focus on privacy.
Now, during the opening WWDC 2026 keynote, Apple officially introduced the new Siri. So what has changed?
Well, Apple did team up with Google to build new versions of what it calls "Apple Foundation Models," which is the company's lingo for AIs that are good at different things, including speech recognition, image, and video generation.
The most important thing this new architecture "unlocks" is the new Siri. It's telling that Apple literally talked about privacy before it even started showing us any new Siri features, ensuring the users that their data is never stored by Apple.
Siri can tap into your conversation and other personal context on your iPhone to get you more relevant answers. Credit: ApplePrivacy is great, but what can the new Siri actually do? Mike Rockwell, VP of Siri engineering, revealed a new name for the AI-infused Siri: It's called Siri AI (slow clap).
Yes, it includes a dedicated Siri app, a more conversational Siri, with a brand new design. If you ask Siri something, it will pop out of the iPhone's Dynamic Island with an answer, and the answer might include a Reminder, or a song, or a map (with driving directions to a destination) web search result.
In Apple's ecosystem, Siri is everywhere, and the same goes for Siri AI. In one example Apple provided, the macOS version of Siri is asked for help on building a shed. It returns a nicely laid out selection of helpful advice, while drawing from personal context present on the computer.
Siri can pull data from your previous emails, and help you draft new ones. Credit: AppleSiri AI will work on iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and watchOS, and even visionOS, and you'll also be able to start on one device, such as the iPhone, and finish the work on a different device, like a MacBook.
That's Siri, over there on the right, when you have a Vision Pro. Credit: AppleThe visual representation of Siri on visionOS is one cool highlight: Siri appears as a translucent ball, and you can ask her things just by looking at her avatar and uttering a question.
Dining with friends? Take a photo of the bill and your iPhone will help you split it. Credit: AppleIt looks nice, neat and tidy in Apple's examples, but it'll take some actual usage to know whether this new Siri is up to par with other smart assistants of today.
Siri AI will initially be available in English, but it will "quickly" expand to more languages, Apple said.
For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.
Apple unveils iOS 27 at WWDC 2026
Apple finally showed us what's up with iOS 27.
At WWDC 2026, Apple officially unveiled iOS 27 after months of rumors.
At the beginning of the opening keynote, Apple outlined three themes for the new updates to its operating systems:
Platform improvements
Trust and safety
A big leap forward for Apple Intelligence
Parental controls seemed to be a major focus at WWDC. Apple is adding enhanced tools for parents to its software suite, including more screen time controls and app permission requests. And, in what might be exciting news for some, Apple confirmed that every iPhone from the iPhone 11 onward will support iOS 27. Previous rumors indicated the iPhone 11 family would be phased out of software support this year.
Apple also showed off a new customization slider for Liquid Glass, letting users slide between Ultra Clear on one end and Tinted Glass on the other. Other nuggets included menopause and perimenopause cycle tracking in the Health app, custom equalizer controls for AirPods, and a huge visual makeover for flyover mode in Apple Maps.
Credit: AppleThis story is developing...
For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.
Your smart home devices are drowning in the same Wi-Fi channel—here's how to fix it
When you're designing a smart home system, it makes sense to stick to one brand as much as possible. But in reality, most smart homes are not designed and implemented all at once; they slowly build up over multiple years. And that tends to lead to inconsistency. Some products are bought on sale, others for specific features, and basically, as long as they claim compatibility with each other, it's all good.
Whats new with Liquid Glass? What was announced at WWDC 2026.
Apple just announced several Liquid Glass design updates at WWDC, and as Mashable predicted months ago, Liquid Glass isn't going anywhere soon.
For one, a new slider lets users adjust transparency from Ultra Clear at one end to Tinted Glass at the other. This expands on existing Liquid Glass settings of Clear and Tinted, but previously, users can only choose between those two. Now, you'll be able to slide between Ultra Clear and Tinted Glass and customize just how liquid you want Liquid Glass to look.
Toggie between Ultra Clear and Tinted Glass. Credit: Screenshot: AppleGiven the mixed response to Liquid Glass, it makes sense that Apple is updating it so quickly. But it's not the only design update Apple has announced at WWDC. As you might know, Liquid Glass is also on other OS systems, including Mac. Now, Apple is also adding a more uniform toolbar at the top of Mac apps. The left-side navigation will reach the end of the window.
Credit: Screenshot: AppleFor more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.
Your Strava profile could be more public than you think—make these changes immediately
Strava has become the go-to fitness app for runners and cyclists. It combines detailed workout logging with social media-style features for sharing your activity with friends.
Amazon just knocked 35% off the Kindle Scribe Premium Pen
SAVE 35%: As of June 8, you can get the Amazon Kindle Scribe Premium Pen for just $51.99, down from $79.99, at Amazon. That's a 35% discount or $28 savings.
Amazon Kindle Scribe Premium Pen $51.99 at Amazon$79.99 Save $28.00 Get Deal at Amazon
If you use a tablet for note-taking (specifically the Kindle Scribe), then you've probably misplaced the stylus a time or two or have had to replace it after losing it in a bag or between the couch cushions. This little game of lost and found can get expensive quick, so if you're looking for a stylus now, I just found a limited Prime deal worth looking into.
SEE ALSO: I tested every Kindle model, and you can't go wrong with any of Amazon's e-readers (but I have a favorite)As of June 8, you can get the Kindle Scribe Premium Pen for $51.99, down from $79.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount or a $28 savings. It's also the lowest price recorded for this Kindle accessory, according to our trusty price-tracker CamelCamelCamel.
This stylus is designed exclusively for the Scribe and features an "eraser" on the top (you just flip the pen upside down to rub out your mistakes) and a physical shortcut button on the side. You can set that button to automatically toggle between standard pen strokes, a highlighter, or a pencil tool, depending on how you like to organize your journals and lists.
It's battery-free, so you never have to plug it in or pair it to the tablet before you start writing. It also has a flat edge with a built-in magnet that lets it snap right onto the side of the Kindle frame. Plus, the box includes five replacement tips and the tool you need to swap them out when the original nib starts to wear down.
Sony and Bose lead the best early headphones deals ahead of Prime Day
Amazon's annual Prime Day sale is back for the 12th year running, but this year, it's a few weeks early.
The sale, which usually takes place in mid-July, is back from June 23 to June 26. Though it's still a few weeks away, Prime Day-worthy deals are already rolling out, with a strong showing from premium and budget headphones brands alike.
SEE ALSO: Prime Day is right around the corner: Here are 20+ early deals to start shopping nowSome early standouts at Amazon include the Bose QuietComfort Ultra line on sale (both earbuds and headphones), Sony's flagship earbuds and headphones, and two of our favorite open earbuds options. Soundcore also has a solid early selection, with the budget-friendly Space One headphones and dual-form open/ANC earbuds, the AeroFit 2 Pro, also on sale.
Below, you can find 16 of the best early headphones and earbuds deals. If nothing catches your eye just yet, check back — we'll be updating this list of deals leading up to, and through, Prime Day 2026.
Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM6 $398 at Amazon$459.99 Save $61.99 Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it
In the face-off between the Sony XM5 vs XM6 headphones, most times I'd recommend the XM5s, especially if you don't care about folding ear cups. However, while both headphones are on sale at the moment, the XM6s are currently down at their lowest price ever, while the XM5s are sitting a good $35 away from their record low. If you're looking to buy sooner rather than later, the new headphones are the better bet — and you'll get the best blend of sound quality and noise cancelling available on the consumer market.
Read our full review on the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.
More headphones dealsSony WH-CH520 — $38 $69.99 (save $31.99)
JLab JBuds Lux ANC — $49.95 $79.95 (save $30)
Soundcore Space One — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
Sony WH-CH720N — $98 $179.99 (save $81.99)
Sony ULT Wear — $144.95 $249.99 (save $105.04)
Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278 $399.99 (save $121.99)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra, 2nd gen — $399.99 $449 (save $49.01)
Apple AirPods Max 2 — $499 $549 (save $50)
$299 Save $50 Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it
The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds are some of the best I've tried, but even at their sale price, they're a hefty investment. While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds don't quite match up in sound quality, they still have some of the best noise cancellation available, and are the most comfortable earbuds I've ever tried. For roughly $50 less, they're the deal to beat leading up to Prime Day.
Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) earbuds.
More earbuds dealsBeats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $199.95 $249.99 (save $50.04)
Technics EAH-AZ100 — $234.99 $299.99 (save $65)
Sony WF-1000XM6 — $298 $329.99 (save $31.99)
$229.99 Save $31.99 Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it
Bose was the near-undisputed champion of open earbuds with top notch sound — that is, until the Sony LinkBuds Clip came along. In my head-to-head testing of the earbuds, I found that while the Bose buds can get louder (an important feature in open earbuds), the clarity and detail of the sound in the Sony buds surpassed that of the Bose. Even though the $70 price discrepancy is smaller with both buds on sale, the sub-$200 price point on the Sony earbuds is hard to pass up.
Read our full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.
More open earbuds dealsSoundcore AeroFit 2 Pro — $149.99 $179.99 (save $30)
Bose Ultra Open earbuds — $229.99 $299 (save $69.01)


