Technology
Apple’s bold move into AI: New iPhone 16, AirPods and watches
Apple Inc. held its most significant event of the year today, where the tech giant unveiled its latest iPhone 16, Apple Watch 10 and AirPods lineup and previewed its new artificial intelligence platform, Apple Intelligence. This early Sept. 9 launch comes just ahead of other major global events, allowing Apple to seize the spotlight before the U.S. presidential debate and an important decision from the European Commission about a $14 billion tax dispute with Ireland.
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Apple event logo (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The iPhone 16 lineup
I’ve been at and reported on nearly every Apple launch since the iPod, and this is something entirely new in direction. The iPhone 16 series was the star of the show, featuring four new models: the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. While the standard models will see minor upgrades in processor speed and memory, the Pro models promise more significant improvements.
iPhone 16 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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iPhone gets bigger screen, thinner bezels, new cameras
With slightly larger, slimmer bezels and a new camera system, these devices are designed to attract both casual and professional users alike.
Notably, Apple is introducing a new touch-sensitive button on the Pro models for capturing photos and video, mimicking a DSLR camera’s shutter. This feature is expected to become a standout selling point for the Pro devices, alongside their enhanced AI capabilities, supported by 8 GB of memory and a faster neural engine optimized for Apple Intelligence.
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iPhone 16 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Apple Intelligence: The AI push
At the heart of Monday’s event was Apple’s growing AI strategy. Apple Intelligence, which will power updates across devices, is poised to transform how users interact with their gadgets. While it’s still early days for this platform, its initial focus will be on streamlining notifications and summarizing messages. However, many features won’t fully launch until next year, highlighting the ongoing development of this AI ecosystem.
The “It’s Glowtime” theme for the event hints at a major redesign of Siri, which will be central to Apple’s AI experience. Despite its slow start, Apple Intelligence is a pivotal step in the company’s efforts to keep pace with competitors in the artificial intelligence race.
Apple Intelligence (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The iPhone 16 and its features
The launch of the iPhone 16 integrates advanced features like Apple Intelligence, which is designed to enhance the user experience while prioritizing privacy.
Performance: With its A18 chip, the iPhone 16 delivers remarkable performance, offering up to 60% faster processing compared to its predecessor, the A16 Bionic. This chip not only improves speed but also enhances battery life, allowing for up to 27 hours of video playback on the iPhone 16 Plus.
Camera innovations: The camera system has also received a substantial upgrade, featuring a 48MP Fusion camera capable of capturing stunning images with improved low-light performance. The new ultra-wide camera allows for expansive shots and intricate macro photography, making it easier than ever to capture every detail.
Action Button: The introduction of the Action button provides users with quick access to their favorite features, streamlining everyday tasks.
Focus on user privacy: Apple ensures that personal data is processed on-device, safeguarding user information from unauthorized access.
Availability and pricing: The iPhone 16 is available in five vibrant colors, starting at $799, and will be available for pre-order on Sept. 13, with official release on Sept. 20.
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iPhone 16 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Key features of the iPhone 16 Pro
The iPhone 16 Pro is designed to also integrate seamlessly with Apple Intelligence. Here are some of the standout features:
Design and display: The iPhone 16 Pro features a Grade 5 titanium design, available in four colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium and the new Desert Titanium. It features the thinnest borders yet, providing a larger 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display that enhances visual engagement.
Camera innovations: Equipped with a new 48MP Ultra Wide camera and advanced Camera Control, users can capture stunning photos and videos, including 4K 120 fps Dolby Vision. The phone’s four studio-quality microphones and innovative audio features elevate recording quality, making it ideal for content creators.
Performance: Powered by the A18 Pro chip, the iPhone 16 Pro delivers unparalleled performance with a faster Neural Engine and improved graphics capabilities, allowing for enhanced gaming experiences and efficient multitasking.
Battery life: The device offers a significant increase in battery life, with up to 33 hours of video playback on the Pro Max model, thanks to optimized internal design and energy-efficient processing.
Privacy and accessibility: Apple Intelligence emphasizes user privacy through on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute, ensuring that personal data remains secure. New accessibility features, such as Eye Tracking and Music Haptics, make the iPhone 16 Pro more inclusive than ever.
Pre-order and availability: Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 Pro begin on Sept. 13, with availability starting Sept. 20, starting at a price of $999 or $41.62 per month for 24 months.
iPhone 16 Pro (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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AirPods new enhanced audio and hearing health innovations
Apple has unveiled significant updates to its AirPods lineup, introducing new models and innovative features. Apple introduced two new AirPods 4 models, both featuring a refined open-ear design: AirPods 4 (standard model), priced at $129, and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, priced at $179.
These new models represent Apple’s most advanced and comfortable open-ear design to date. Powered by the H2 chip, they offer improved sound quality and new features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness.
Apple also introduced the AirPods Max, which received a refresh with five new colors, including midnight, starlight, blue, purple and orange. The refresh also included USB-C charging capability for increased convenience.
The new AirPods 4 and updated AirPods Max are available for pre-order starting today, with in-store availability beginning Sept. 20.
AirPods 4 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Revolutionary hearing health features for AirPods Pro 2
Apple announced groundbreaking hearing health capabilities coming to AirPods Pro 2 this fall. It includes hearing protection, which actively reduces loud, intermittent noises to prevent hearing damage, and a hearing test, which is a scientifically validated test conducted through AirPods Pro 2. Also, the AirPods Pro 2 is upgraded with clinical-grade, over-the-counter hearing aid functionality for mild to moderate hearing loss. These features will be available as a free software update in over 100 countries and regions, marking a significant step in Apple’s commitment to hearing health.
AirPods Pro 2 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
APPLE RUSHES SURPRISE IOS SECURITY UPDATE TO IPHONE AND IPAD
Apple Watch Series 10 marks a decade of wearable innovation
For the first time in two years, all Apple Watch models will receive updates, including a new entry-level Apple Watch SE, the flagship Series 10 and the Ultra 2.
The Apple Watch Series 10, available for pre-order starting Sept. 20 at a price of $399, introduces several innovative features and enhancements. It is the thinnest model yet, boasting the largest display in the Apple Watch lineup, with a wide-angle OLED screen that is brighter and easier to read from different angles.
Key health features include new sleep apnea notifications, advanced heart rate monitoring and the ability to track various fitness activities with precision. The watch also includes new sensors for water temperature and depth, making it suitable for aquatic activities. Fast charging capabilities allow for 80% battery in just 30 minutes.
The Series 10 is available in various finishes, including Jet Black aluminum and polished titanium options, and is designed with sustainability in mind, utilizing recycled materials. It also offers enhanced connectivity features, allowing you to stay connected without needing your iPhone nearby.
Apple Watch Series 10 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The new Apple Watch Ultra 2
Meanwhile, the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a sleek black titanium case. The 49mm black titanium case is designed to withstand the harshest environments and is certified to the EN13319 standard for diving accessories. With a display brightness of 3000 nits, it boasts the brightest Apple display ever, along with WR100 water resistance and IP6X dust resistance. The customizable Action button offers precise control over your workouts, allowing you to start a session, mark a segment or move to the next interval with ease.
No matter where you are, the Ultra 2 ensures you won’t have to worry about battery life. It’s built to perform at peak conditions for longer, supporting up to 36 hours of normal use, 72 hours in Low Power Mode and up to 17 hours of outdoor workouts in Low Power Mode.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
More to come in October and beyond
Though the spotlight was on the iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch, other products are in the pipeline. Apple is working on transitioning its Mac lineup to M4 chips, with updates to the MacBook Pro, Mac mini and iMac likely scheduled for a later event this fall. A new version of the iPhone SE, an upgraded AirTag and refreshed iPads are also in development with their own launches expected next year.
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Apple Intelligence (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Kurt’s key takeaways
This event comes at a crucial time for Apple, as the company seeks to rebound from its longest sales slump in decades. With roughly 60% of Apple’s revenue tied to its device ecosystem, this latest lineup of products will not only drive sales but also encourage more spending on services, a key growth area for the company.
By introducing new AI-driven features and updates across its flagship products, Apple is positioning itself for the next era of tech innovation. The question remains whether Apple Intelligence will live up to the hype and how quickly the company can deliver on its promises. For now, all eyes are on Cupertino as Apple takes another step into the future of artificial intelligence.
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Apple’s self-driving car program never really got off the ground, but it may have been what made the company’s chips the powerful AI performers they are. Early in the development of the self-driving platform, Apple realized that it would need powerful on-device AI processing. While the car processor was never finished, as Mark Gurman details in his latest Power On newsletter, it did lead to the development of the Neural Engine, the backbone of Apple’s on-device AI processing.
The Neural Engine made its debut with the iPhone X and the A11 Bionic. In those early days, it was primarily used for computer vision, powering FaceID, Animoji, and augmented reality features. But by laying the groundwork for on-device AI processing, Apple established itself as an early leader by bringing the Neural Engine to desktops with the M-series chips. While Apple’s AI software efforts have lagged behind the rest of the industry, its hardware has been impressive. It’s also what has allowed Apple to tout its privacy features, since less data is sent to the cloud.
Apple is making its AI hardware a cornerstone of its strategy going forward. According to Gurman, the company is skipping the Pro, Max, and Ultra versions of its upcoming M6 chip. Instead, it’s accelerating development of the M7, which should arrive in the first half of 2027 with significant Neural Engine upgrades. The M7 Ultra is expected to be the basis for a new server product from Apple as well, with support for up to 1.5TB of RAM.
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A cockroach in a tiny scuba suit sounds like something you would run from, not something you would send into a disaster zone. Yet scientists say this strange little setup could one day help rescue teams search places people and larger robots cannot safely reach.
Researchers from NTU Singapore and Waseda University have developed a flexible diving suit for cyborg cockroaches. The suit lets the insects survive and move underwater, as well as through low-oxygen spaces, for up to three hours.
The study was published in Nature Communications. The goal is to expand how cyborg insects could help after floods, earthquakes or other disasters where rubble, drains and tight spaces can block access.
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The tiny diving suit delivers oxygen to the cyborg cockroach, helping it move underwater for up to three hours. (NTU Singapore)
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How the cyborg cockroach diving suit works
A cyborg cockroach is a living insect fitted with tiny electronics that can guide its movement. Unlike a small artificial robot, it uses its own muscles to walk. That means it needs far less battery power than a robot that depends on motors. However, cockroaches still need air. They breathe through small openings called spiracles. Once submerged, they cannot pull oxygen from water.
That is where the cyborg cockroach diving suit comes in. The suit has an oxygen-generation tank, a flexible waterproof shell and four silicone oxygen tubes. Together, those parts keep water out while sending oxygen directly to the cockroach’s breathing openings.
The oxygen tank is 3D-printed from a clear plastic-like resin. Inside, researchers placed a sponge treated with manganese dioxide. They then added a small amount of diluted hydrogen peroxide. That chemical reaction slowly releases oxygen. From there, the oxygen travels through the suit and into tubes attached to the cockroach’s spiracles. In other words, the insect gets its own tiny oxygen system. The researchers compare it to the tank used by human divers.
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Why scientists turned a cockroach into a rescue robot
The team tested the suit on the Madagascar hissing cockroach. That species is often used in cyborg insect research because it is large, sturdy and wingless. The suit turns the cyborg insect from a land-based crawler into an amphibious rescue robot that can move across dry and wet terrain.
That could help in places where normal robots struggle. A disaster site may include collapsed concrete, standing water, blocked drains and narrow gaps. A small insect-guided system could move through those spaces while future versions carry sensors or cameras. The idea may make your skin crawl. Still, the engineering is impressive. Researchers are using the cockroach’s natural movement and adding a way for it to keep breathing underwater.
The tiny onboard controller receives computer commands that help guide the cyborg cockroach’s movement during testing. (NTU Singapore)
What happened when cyborg cockroaches went underwater
With the diving suit, the cyborg cockroaches stayed active underwater for up to three hours. Without the suit, a control cockroach suffocated within about two minutes during testing. The researchers also tested the insects in plastic tunnels that simulated tough rescue conditions. One setup included a carbon dioxide-filled section followed by a water-filled section. The cyborg cockroaches wearing the suit made it through.
The team also tested narrow underwater gaps. With implanted electronics instead of a bulky backpack, the cyborg cockroach moved through a 2-centimeter-high crevice. That is the kind of space where many small robots could get stuck.
How cyborg insects could help search and rescue teams
The biggest takeaway is that rescue robots may not always look like machines. In some cases, they may use a living insect’s body and add technology around it. A cyborg cockroach can crawl through debris, squeeze into tight spaces and use very little power. Add underwater movement, and it becomes more useful in flooded disaster zones.
That could help after heavy rain, earthquakes or infrastructure failures. Future versions could inspect flooded pipes, drains, tunnels or damaged buildings. The researchers are still improving the system. They want to test it in more disaster-style environments, make the suit more durable and add sensors and navigation tools for field use.
What this means to you
You probably will not see cyborg cockroaches crawling around your neighborhood anytime soon. This is still research, not a rescue tool ready for everyday emergency crews.
However, it shows where search technology may be heading. Rescue teams need tools that can reach places humans cannot safely enter. If a small living insect can carry electronics, move through rubble and keep going underwater, it could become part of a larger rescue system.
That could eventually mean faster inspections after floods, better access inside damaged buildings and more options when every minute counts.
Kurt’s key takeaways
A cyborg cockroach in a diving suit sounds wild, but the reason behind it is serious. Disaster zones can be full of tight spaces, toxic air and standing water. Those conditions can stop people, drones and many small robots. This research gives scientists a new way to think about rescue technology. Instead of building every part from scratch, they are using the cockroach’s natural movement and adding the missing piece: underwater breathing. To me, the big question is what happens when this kind of technology gets sensors, cameras and better navigation. That could turn a creepy little crawler into a tool that helps save lives.
Would you be comfortable with cyborg insects being used in search-and-rescue missions if they could help find people faster? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
Rescuers work at the site of a collapsed building complex in the aftermath of earthquakes, in La Guaira, Venezuela, on Friday. (Reuters/Ricardo Arduengo)
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Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield had been seeking documents from Paramount related to its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. Rayfield also asked a state circuit court judge to delay the closing of the deal by 60 days so that his office could review the documents. But according to Deadline and Variety, he’s now dropped his civil investigative demand for the records.
Obviously, Paramount is pleased with Rayfield’s decision to withdraw his request, but the AG’s office isn’t exactly satisfied with the outcome.
Jenny Hansson, communications director for Rayfield, told Deadline that, “Paramount made it clear that they weren’t going to comply with the investigative demand, and that they think they’re above the law. We’re not going to let them waste Oregonians’ resources on these games. We’ve withdrawn the motion to consider our next steps.”
Rayfield specifically was interested in documents relating to Paramount’s lobbying efforts, which were codenamed “Project Warrior.” Paramount is run by David and Larry Ellison, major supporters of Donald Trump who enjoy a cozy relationship with the White House. The President went out of his way during the proceeding to say that Netflix, Paramount’s primary rival for Warner Bros. Discovery, would “pay the consequences” if it didn’t remove Trump critic Susan Rice from its board.
While Oregon’s efforts to stop the merger have stalled, others, including California, New York, and even the UK, are considering moves to block the deal on antitrust grounds. Hollywood has also spoken out in opposition to the merger.
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