The latest software update for iPhone and iPad was released during the WWDC keynote speech on 5 June. It is said to be the biggest software release ever for iPad with powerful multitasking features along with new AR experiences.
This major update to one of the world’s leading mobile operating system will bring even more intelligence and a new voice for Siri. Other updates include the ability to make payments, professional capabilities to photos, on device machine learning potential, augmented reality with the option to build apps by using virtual content on top of real world scenarios only to name a few.
It is a good time for iPad users as the new update will allow a new customizable dock that provides quick access to frequently used apps and documents from any screen. It will also be easier for iPad users to switch between active apps with a redesigned app switcher, used in Split View and Slide Over.
A new addition called Files is designed to make life easier especially for users with data stored across multiple apps. Files will help you to create folders and stay organized by storing all documents from Mail, cloud or across providers in one easy to use place.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering demonstrated other major features of the new OS including the synchronized messages across iCloud, iOS and macOS. Apple Pay will now be able to include person to person payments with the Apple Pay Cash Card, where peer transaction funds can be stored and transferred to personal accounts.
Apple Assistant Siri will start to sound more natural while responding to users and perform translations from English to Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish. Siri will also be able to learn from personal usage to give useful suggestions. Apple control center has also been completely redesigned for quick access to frequently used controls along with a new lock screen for a convenient way to see all notifications in one place.
Apple is also shifting to High-Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) to shrink the amount of storage that photos take up on iPhone. The camera app will also get new tricks such as Bounce and Loop that can be applied to Live Photos and offers optical image stabilization for portrait mode images taken using flash in HDR.
The new OS will have AR built in directly into the core of the iOS allowing developers to build apps that convincingly blend augmented reality entertainment over real world scenes. A new Home app was also announced that will be able to control HomeKit compatible smart home gadgets.
The App Store received a complete makeover with the addition of a new ‘Today’ tab which shows a collection of news apps and a new daily list centered around particular themes and more. The App Store will also have a second new tab dedicated to Games that will feature both new and popular games, as well as in-app purchases. App Pages will be able to display new previews, quotes, and stories along with a quicker approval for new apps.
What do you think about the new updates coming to the iPhones and iPads? Let us know in the comments below or write to us at [email protected]
Sundar Pichai, the visionary CEO of Alphabet Inc., has officially entered the ranks of global billionaires, accomplishing this rare feat after a decade at the helm of one of the world’s most influential tech giants. Pichai’s net worth hit $1.1 billion—according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index—fueled by Alphabet’s incredible market performance and the company’s growth of more than $1 trillion in value since early 2023. Achieving billionaire status without being a founding member sets Pichai apart, highlighting his significant impact among non-founder tech leaders.
Born in Tamil Nadu, India, Pichai’s success story is rooted in humble beginnings. He spent his childhood in a modest two-room apartment, only gaining access to a telephone at age 12. A scholarship took him to Stanford University in 1993, with his family making great sacrifices for his education. After joining Google in 2004, Pichai played a pivotal role in the development of Chrome and rose steadily, ultimately becoming CEO in 2015. His leadership through Alphabet’s restructuring and his stewardship over high-growth areas like YouTube, Google Cloud, and Google Play have been critical to the company’s success.
During his tenure, Pichai has championed aggressive investments in artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure, positioning Alphabet at the forefront of technological innovation. While his annual salary sits at $2 million, the majority of his fortune stems from stock awards and financial incentives tied to performance. Pichai’s journey exemplifies the rise from modest beginnings to extraordinary success, serving as an inspiration and proving that transformative leadership and strategic vision can redefine what’s possible—even without a founder’s equity stake.
The Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation Foundation (TiHAN) at IIT Hyderabad has set a new standard in drone technology with the launch of Palyanka, a heavy payload drone designed as an autonomous air ambulance. Capable of carrying up to 200 kg, Palyanka is engineered to swiftly transport patients, medical equipment, or critical cargo across challenging terrains, bypassing traditional barriers like road congestion and remote inaccessibility. This advanced UAV operates autonomously, making it highly effective for rapid response in both urban and rural emergencies, and stands at the forefront of disaster relief operations in scenarios such as floods and fires.
Built for versatility, Palyanka doesn’t just function as an air ambulance. Its robust design enables use in rescue missions, cargo deliveries, and even as an air taxi for metropolitan connectivity. Inspired by the Sanskrit word for palanquin, the name “Palyanka” reflects the drone’s role as a safe and efficient carrier. All components, from conceptual design to IP, have been developed in-house at IIT Hyderabad, ensuring the drone meets stringent standards for durability and performance under extreme conditions.
With a development journey spanning over five years and led by Prof. P. Rajalakshmi, TiHAN’s team has transitioned from early drone prototypes to a full-scale, high-capacity solution like Palyanka. The team is now preparing pilot projects in hilly terrains and working on further enhancing the drone’s endurance with innovative heat-resistant materials. By pioneering such indigenous solutions, IIT Hyderabad’s TiHAN is transforming emergency medical services and logistics, marking a pivotal advancement in India’s urban mobility and public safety landscape.
X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has announced a major reduction in its subscription prices across India, slashing fees by up to 48%. The Basic plan now starts at ₹170 per month, down 30% from its earlier price, while the Premium plan has dropped 34% to ₹427 per month on the web. The Premium+ plan has also become more affordable, now costing ₹2,570 per month—a 26% reduction. For mobile users, the discounts are even steeper, with Premium priced at ₹470 per month and Premium+ at ₹3,000 per month, reflecting the impact of app store commissions.
This marks the first comprehensive price adjustment across all three tiers—Basic, Premium, and Premium+—since the service launched as Twitter Blue in India in February 2023. The move comes shortly after Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, rolled out the new Grok 4 model and follows xAI’s acquisition of X earlier this year. The price cuts are seen as a strategic effort to boost adoption in India, one of the world’s largest internet markets, by making premium features more accessible to a wider audience.
Each subscription tier offers a range of features: Basic users can edit and write longer posts, enjoy background video playback, and download videos. Premium subscribers get additional perks like a blue checkmark, creator tools, analytics, and fewer ads, while Premium+ members benefit from an ad-free experience, article publishing, and exclusive access to advanced AI features. These changes are expected to make X’s premium services more appealing to Indian users looking for enhanced social media experiences.