Apple is quietly delving into the world of generative AI technology, using its in-house “Apple GPT” for various internal purposes. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shed light on how employees are utilizing this technology, revealing a potential application in customer service. Apple has already developed an AI chatbot, similar to ChatGPT, which employees use to prototype future features, summarize text, and provide answers based on the data it has been trained with. Additionally, the company is exploring ways to incorporate its large language model (LLM) into other operational areas, such as AppleCare, to assist customers.
NEW: Apple races to build next-generation, Generative AI features to catch up with OpenAI and Google. The company has developed a framework called “Ajax” to build LLMs and has deployed “Apple GPT” internally. It’s aiming for a consumer product next year. https://t.co/jOk6e67QOK
Unlike its tech counterparts, Apple has taken a cautious and secretive approach to generative AI for consumers. The term “AI” was conspicuously absent from Apple’s WWDC 2023 event, and CEO Tim Cook has emphasized the importance of deliberate and thoughtful deployment of AI. While possibilities for incorporating generative AI into Siri are evident, Apple has remained tight-lipped about its consumer-oriented plans. In a previous report, Gurman hinted at a significant AI-related announcement from Apple in the future, but its specific focus on consumers remains uncertain.
As a characteristic maverick in the tech landscape, Apple is unlikely to follow the trends of other companies. Instead, the integration of generative AI is expected to have Apple’s distinctive approach, potentially revolutionizing its products and services in unforeseen ways.
Apple is preparing its most significant iPhone release schedule overhaul in years, according to a bombshell report from The Information. The tech giant plans to:
Launch its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and “Air” models in fall 2026
Delay the standard iPhone 18 until spring 2027 (a first for Apple’s release calendar)
Introduce a slimmer “iPhone 17 Air” with a new battery case solution
Implement under-display Face ID in Pro models, leaving only a tiny camera cutout
This strategic shift represents Apple’s most dramatic product line reorganization since the introduction of the Plus/Max sizes, signaling a new era of smartphone innovation from Cupertino.
Inside Apple’s Foldable iPhone: Design and Specifications
The Foldable That Will Challenge Samsung’s Dominance
Apple’s first foray into foldables will feature:
Form Factor:
Book-style design (like Samsung Galaxy Z Fold) rather than clamshell
5.7-inch external display (comparable to iPhone 13 mini)
Just under 8-inch internal display (slightly larger than iPad mini)
Key Innovations:
Revolutionary 4.5-4.8mm thickness when unfolded (thinner than current iPads)
Face ID implementation (no Touch ID under display)
Proprietary hinge mechanism promising “industry-leading durability”
Supply Chain Insights: Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Apple has been working with suppliers for over three years to perfect the foldable display technology, with LG Display reportedly taking the lead on panel production.
Why Apple Is Shaking Up Its Release Schedule
Managing an Expanding Product Portfolio
With six distinct iPhone models potentially in the lineup by 2026, Apple faces unprecedented complexity:
iPhone 18 Pro Foldable (flagship innovation)
iPhone 18 Pro (traditional premium)
iPhone 18 Air (new slim category)
iPhone 18 (standard model)
iPhone 16E (budget-focused)
iPhone SE (4th gen) (entry-level)
The New Release Cadence:
Fall 2026: Foldable, Pro, and Air models debut
Spring 2027: Standard iPhone 18 and 16E follow-up launch
This staggered approach helps:
Prevent product cannibalization
Maintain media buzz throughout the year
Allow manufacturing to scale appropriately
The iPhone 17 Air: Apple’s Thinnest Smartphone Yet
Solving the Battery Life Challenge
The Information reveals surprising details about the iPhone 17 Air:
Design Tradeoffs:
Ultra-thin profile comes at a cost to battery capacity
Internal testing shows battery life “falling short” of previous models
Innovative Solution:
Optional smart battery case (sold separately)
Case maintains slim profile while extending usage time
Potential for MagSafe-compatible modular battery system
Strategic Implications: This marks Apple’s first acknowledgment that thinness may have reached practical limits for daily use, prompting creative accessory solutions.
Under-Display Face ID: The Next Step in Apple’s Bezel-Free Journey
The iPhone 18 Pro’s Nearly All-Screen Future
Apple’s display technology is taking another leap forward:
Current State:
Dynamic Island (iPhone 14 Pro/15 Pro)
Smaller pill-shaped cutout
2026 Evolution:
Face ID sensors move completely under display
Only front-facing camera remains visible
Tiny hole-punch in top-left corner (similar to some Android flagships)
Why This Matters:
Represents the final step toward a truly all-screen iPhone
Maintains Face ID security while maximizing display real estate
While Samsung has led the foldable market since 2019, Apple’s entry could:
Validate the foldable category for mainstream consumers
Drive rapid improvements in durability standards
Potentially double the global foldable market size by 2027
Price Point Expectations: Analysts predict Apple’s foldable could command a $1,999 starting price, significantly above current Android foldables but with premium materials and ecosystem integration.
What This Means for Consumers and Investors
Consumer Implications:
More choices across price points and form factors
Potential for greater differentiation between models
New accessory ecosystem opportunities
Investor Considerations:
Higher ASP (average selling price) potential with foldable
Possible margin pressures from new technology adoption
Watch for supply chain developments in 2025
The Road Ahead: Key Milestones to Watch
2024:
iPhone 16 series launch (potential first glimpse of direction)
Possible foldable prototype leaks
2025:
Supply chain confirmation of foldable production
Developer kit releases for foldable-specific software
2026:
Foldable iPhone announcement (likely September event)
iOS features specifically optimized for foldables
Conclusion: Apple’s Most Ambitious iPhone Strategy Yet
This reported roadmap represents Tim Cook’s most aggressive product strategy since taking the helm, showing Apple’s willingness to:
Embrace new form factors after years of watching the foldable market
Disrupt its own release calendar to better manage product complexity
Push display technology boundaries with under-screen innovations
Address practical limitations with creative accessory solutions
While Android manufacturers have pioneered many of these concepts, Apple’s methodical approach and ecosystem advantages could finally bring foldables and advanced display tech to the mainstream.
The coming years will prove whether this bold strategy can maintain Apple’s industry-leading position or if the company has stretched its iPhone lineup too far. One thing is certain – the smartphone landscape is about to get much more interesting.
In a dramatic shift for Android users, the Google Play Store has removed a staggering 1.8 million apps since the start of 2024—47% of its entire catalog—according to new data from Appfigures. This mass exodus reflects Google’s aggressive crackdown on low-quality, spammy, and policy-violating apps, signaling a major shift in how the tech giant manages its digital marketplace.
Key Findings: Why Millions of Apps Got the Boot
Games hit hardest (200,000 removed)
Education apps saw 160,700 deletions
Business apps lost 115,400 listings
Total apps dropped from 3.4M to 1.6M
Apple’s App Store grew slightly (1.6M to 1.64M apps)
Google’s Stance: “We’re focused on delivering high-quality apps and continuous improvements for user safety,” says spokesperson Dan Jackson.
Behind the Purge: Google’s War on Bad Apps
1. Stricter Review Policies (2023 Onward)
Mandatory 20-person testing for all new apps (2-week minimum)
While Google purged apps, Apple’s App Store grew by 40,000—likely due to: ✔ Stricter upfront review process ✔ Higher developer fees ($99/year) acting as a filter ✔ Fewer “throwaway” apps in iOS ecosystem
Who’s Affected? Winners & Losers
Losers:
❌ Clone App Developers – Low-effort duplicates are being wiped out ❌ Ad-Farming Apps – Google’s AI now detects fake engagement ❌ “Fleeceware” Scams – Deceptive subscription traps are being banned
Expert Insight: “This isn’t just a cleanup—it’s a complete repositioning. Google wants Play Store to rival Apple’s curated experience,” says mobile analyst Sarah Chen.
