All posts tagged: Features

MacOS 27 Golden Gate: Top New Features

MacOS 27 Golden Gate: Top New Features

Published by skeptic

One of the most interesting new features is Custom Extensions, which lets you create an extension for Safari in natural language. Lastly, the new version of Safari will work the Passwords app to automatically fix website login passwords that are deemed no longer safe to use. The other exciting implementation of Apple Intelligence is within the Shortcuts app. The app received some artificial intelligence upgrades last year, but this new update takes things much further. You can now use natural language to design an automated shortcut, no longer requiring the manual work of connecting functions within apps together. Apple’s example was that you could type, “Whenever I’m leaving work, calculate the ETA, and send it to Pedro,” which would use a combination of Maps and Messages. Other updates include using natural language when creating an event in Calendar, which will then fill in the details with contacts or locations. Image Playground also received a major update, which is now based on Google’s Gemini image generation tech. It can now cook up photorealistic imagery, and looks …

The Top New Features in Apple’s iOS 27 and iPadOS 27

The Top New Features in Apple’s iOS 27 and iPadOS 27

Published by skeptic

While the news coming out of WWDC 2026 is not as dramatic as last year’s iOS 26 update, where the new Liquid Glass redesign caused a big stir, Apple’s presentation still made waves. During the WWDC keynote, Apple walked through the new changes coming to the next version of its mobile operating systems, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. These updates will roll out to iPhones and iPads later this year, likely in September. iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 focus largely on stability improvements that enrich the everyday usability of the operating systems. There are several smaller quality-of-life improvements, but the big highlight is the Siri AI upgrades. Here’s everything you need to know. Is Your iPhone or iPad Compatible? AccordionItemContainerButton Apple sometimes cuts a few older devices from support list with every new iOS or iPadOS version, supposedly due to hardware age. (Apple typically supports iPhones and iPads for six to seven years.) But there’s good news this year. iPhones from 2019 and newer—the iPhone 11 and up, including the iPhone SE (2nd Gen)—will support …

Apple Says iOS 27 Adds These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Apple Says iOS 27 Adds These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Published by skeptic

iOS 27’s key new feature is a more intelligent and personal version of Siri, but the changes go well beyond that. In a press release today, Apple outlined additional enhancements coming across Apple Maps, Find My, Apple Wallet, Apple Music, and more. Apple Maps has gained an enhanced Flyover experience powered by AI, enabling you to view aerial imagery in “stunning detail” for select cities. In the U.S., Apple Maps has also received a new Local Lists feature, which surfaces things such as trending restaurants and kid-friendly places to visit. In the Find My app, you will have the ability to share your location with others for a custom duration, such as four days and six hours. Or, you can set a set an exact date and time for your location sharing to expire. In addition, you can now pause your location sharing with specific people until the end of the day. On iOS 26 and earlier, there are only three preset timeframes available: indefinitely, until end of day, and one hour. In the U.S., …

Robotaxis almost happened in 1964—with the help of the U.S. government

Robotaxis almost happened in 1964—with the help of the U.S. government

Published by Jenni Sidey

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. By signing up, you confirm you are 16+, will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time. In 1953, Donn Fichter, a graduate student at Northwestern University in Chicago, had a simple transportation idea: What if you tipped an elevator on its side, enabling it to run horizontally, and set it loose in a city? Unlike conventional urban mass transit, elevators are responsive to individuals, callable with the push of a button, and not subject to schedules.  After completing his dissertation in 1958, “Automated Urban Circulation,” Fichter spent years turning that idea into a complete transit system design he called Veyar. At its core, Veyar would offer small automated cars running on lightweight guideways. The electric cars would be available at any hour and travel directly from origin to destination without stops, schedules, or drivers. “Personalized transit,” he called it, …

watchOS 27 Features Dynamic App Grid, New Gesture Control, and More

watchOS 27 Features Dynamic App Grid, New Gesture Control, and More

Published by skeptic

Apple today unveiled watchOS 27, featuring a redesigned dynamic app grid, new gesture controls, and a raft of usability and battery improvements. The new dynamic app grid surfaces and rearranges five apps based on context and usage. Users can simply tap the bottom center icon to go to the rest of their apps. A new tap gesture lets users select a widget in the Smart Stack by tapping their index finger and thumb together once, allowing interaction even when the other hand is occupied. Apple is also expanding Smart Stack suggestions to surface more contextually relevant widgets, including birthday reminders for close contacts, a parked car location card, sleep alarm adjustments ahead of select holidays, and transit card balance checks. Users can now create custom passes for any membership or card that uses a QR code or barcode, such as a library card, using their iPhone and access it directly from the Apple Watch’s Wallet app or pin it to the Smart Stack. Transit cards and IDs will also appear in the Smart Stack. Apple …

Apple’s New Child Safety Features Include Letting Kids Ask to View New Sites

Apple’s New Child Safety Features Include Letting Kids Ask to View New Sites

Published by skeptic

Although certain child restrictions aren’t new at Apple, the company is expanding its parental controls and working with the American Academy of Pediatrics to learn more about digital guidelines for children, the company announced at WWDC 2026.  Sumbul Desai, Apple’s vice president of health, said during the company’s WWDC keynote presentation that the guide for parents will help “them establish those healthy digital habits using our child safety features.” The company is working with researchers to “understand the impact of technology on children’s well-being, and are committed to advancing the science in this area.” Here are the child safety protection advancements and new features announced at the event.  Child accounts Child account parental control features are expanding to block adult websites, only allow access to “age-appropriate media,” and allow a slew of parental controls. If your child has an iPhone or iPad currently that isn’t on a child account, you can still convert it to one.  Ask to Browse and Ask to Buy Ask to Browse, a brand new feature, requires a child to ask …

Lebanon’s children face physical, psychological trauma amid Israel’s war | Israel attacks Lebanon News

Lebanon’s children face physical, psychological trauma amid Israel’s war | Israel attacks Lebanon News

Published by Sam Flores

Beirut, Lebanon – Four-year-old Malaika was in her home in southern Lebanon’s Mayfadoun when Israel’s bombs began to hit on March 2. Malaika’s mother made an immediate attempt to flee, knowing that more attacks were likely. She grabbed Malaika and her younger sister Sara, putting the latter in the back seat of her car, and Malaika in the front passenger seat. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list The mother sat in the driver’s seat. Then a strike hit near the car. Malaika woke up in a hospital hours later, with burns on her forehead and damage to her left eye that hospital staff say will require surgery. Sara was also wounded, but not as badly as Malaika. However, their mother – who the family did not wish to name for privacy reasons – was killed in the strike. In her last act while alive, she had used her body to protect Malaika. Almost 1,000 children wounded Israel intensified its war on Lebanon on March 2, launching attacks that came after Hezbollah had responded …

How Lebanon and Iran’s war of words became backdrop for latest Israel clash | US-Israel war on Iran

How Lebanon and Iran’s war of words became backdrop for latest Israel clash | US-Israel war on Iran

Published by Sam Flores

Tehran, Iran – An ongoing war of words between Beirut and Tehran has highlighted the central role Lebanon has played in a ceasefire between Iran and the United States. Iran on Sunday responded to an Israeli strike on an alleged Hezbollah site in southern Beirut – a red line for Tehran – by launching a barrage of missiles at Israel. Israel then hit Tehran and other cities on Monday, threatening to end a two-month ceasefire between Iran and the US. Tensions had already heightened after Israeli forces crossed the Litani River last month – a point Israel had unilaterally set as a buffer zone to be cleared of Hezbollah elements – leading the Lebanese government to appeal for an end to foreign interference in the country. Last week, it was reported that US President Donald Trump had convinced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to target Beirut, understanding that such an escalation could end a regional ceasefire in place since April. The Israeli invasion has deepened tensions between Iran, which backs Hezbollah, and the Lebanese …

Ronaldo, other ageing stars push limits to make history at World Cup 2026 | World Cup 2026 News

Ronaldo, other ageing stars push limits to make history at World Cup 2026 | World Cup 2026 News

Published by Sam Flores

After playing at Qatar 2022 at age 35, US national team defender Tim Ream thought it was “pretty unlikely” he could play in another World Cup. But he decided he would at least try to stay in the game as long as possible. “Because for me, it’s about pushing boundaries, pushing myself, pushing the limits of what I can physically and emotionally handle,” he told Al Jazeera. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Last week, Ream was named as the US’s captain for the upcoming football tournament in North America and, at 38, is the oldest ever outfield player in a US World Cup squad. “To be given the honour and the opportunity to wear the captain’s armband in a home World Cup is incredible,” he said. Ream, who played for Bolton Wanderers and Fulham in the Premier League and is now at Major League Soccer (MLS) side Charlotte FC, is one of several outfield players in their late 30s and beyond at the 2026 World Cup; including Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, …

The Taiz transplant team looking to begin a medical revolution in Yemen | Health News

The Taiz transplant team looking to begin a medical revolution in Yemen | Health News

Published by Sam Flores

A young girl lies in a hospital bed in Taiz, southwest Yemen, recovering from surgery to treat her atrial septal defect (ASD), better known as “hole in the heart”. “May I take a picture of you?” a visitor asks. She smiles, slowly adjusts her position, and gets ready for the photo. Ten-year-old Noor Majid has had ASD since birth. Her condition leads to constant breathing problems and chronic exhaustion. It is hoped the surgery will help her live a life similar to that of other girls her age. Noor was one of 110 children from different parts of Yemen being treated for free at the Cardiac and Vascular Diseases and Kidney Transplant Center in Taiz between May 16 and 21. The Catheterization and Complex Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Camp, which undertook the treatment, is a multi-national effort, involving medical teams from across the world and supported by the Qatar Charity and the Qatar Red Crescent. Noor Majed after treatment in the hospital [Abdulhakim Helal/Al Jazeera] Surgeries on the children were performed by Qatari, Arab and French …