GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple has released iOS 27 with an overhauled AI-powered Siri as one of its headline features, but access isn't immediate. Users must meet certain requirements, including a compatible iPhone and English language settings, then join a waitlist through the Siri menu in Settings before the feature activates.
Apple released iOS 27 on Monday, giving users an opt-in beta of its overhauled Siri AI assistant just before the new iPhone 18 lineup arrives in stores. Access requires enabling the feature in settings, and some users may be placed on a waitlist before it activates. CEO John Ternus, in his first product event since replacing Tim Cook, touted the iPhone as central to Apple's AI ecosystem.
Apple released iOS 26.7 as a smaller companion update on the same day it launched iOS 27, giving iPhone owners who aren't ready to upgrade a way to stay current on security. The update carries no new features, only security fixes, and full patch details are expected to be published by Apple shortly.
Apple has released iOS 27, extending general software updates to devices as old as the iPhone 11. However, the headline feature—an AI-enhanced version of Siri—is restricted to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models, likely due to processing demands of on-device AI.
Apple has released iOS 27 to all eligible iPhones after a summer beta period, adding a redesigned conversational Siri assistant, new Apple Intelligence tools, and a slider to adjust the Liquid Glass interface's transparency. The update also includes performance gains such as faster app launches, quicker photo loading, and improved AirDrop speeds.
Apple has begun taking pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12, while retailers continue discounting older models. AirPods Pro 3 remain $50 off at $199, AirTag 2 is $20, and the M5 MacBook Air is up to $150 off at Amazon, alongside a record-low price on the 2026 Apple Studio Display and discounted Anker MagSafe chargers.
iMazing, the Mac and PC utility for managing iPhone and iPad data, is running a 20% discount for 9to5Mac readers ahead of a major upcoming release. That update will mark the tool's first step toward supporting Android devices, expanding beyond its Apple-only roots. Since iMazing 3 launched in 2024, the app has added features like Apple Watch support, spyware detection, screen recording, and enhanced Messages and WhatsApp export tools.
Most major phone makers, including Apple, Google and Samsung, have phased out the 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of USB-C for wired audio, charging and data transfer. Apple made the switch starting with the iPhone 7 in 2016, followed by Google in 2017 and Samsung in 2019, with Apple finally adopting USB-C for the iPhone 15 due to EU regulation. Sony remains an exception, still including a 3.5mm jack on its upcoming Xperia 1 VIII.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max pre-orders have slipped from launch-day delivery to estimates spanning late September into October, just days after orders opened. The Pro Max faces the longest wait, with US Apple Store estimates showing October 6-13 delivery across all colors and storage sizes, while the standard Pro shows September 29-October 6.
Ahead of the iOS 27 release, iPhone owners are being urged to free up roughly 18 to 25GB of storage, ensure at least 50 percent battery or a charger connection, and stay on Wi-Fi before installing. Users can also choose between manual updates or Apple's automatic overnight installation option found in Settings.
Apple's Background App Refresh feature, found in Settings > General, lets iPhone users control which apps can update content while running in the background. Users can toggle it for Wi-Fi only, Wi-Fi and cellular, or turn it off entirely, and can also customize it on a per-app basis. Importantly, disabling this setting does not stop an app from sending notifications.
AppleCare has evolved from a simple flat-fee warranty into a tiered subscription system covering nearly every Apple product, including accessories like AirPods and Beats. Pricing varies by device, with theft and loss protection available only for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, and a new AppleCare One plan bundling three devices for $19.99 monthly, with $5.99 for each additional device.