News

WWDC26: Siri AI, parental controls, and more

Apple’s software roadmap

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Apple Intelligence, Siri AI

Apple has unveiled the next generation of Apple Intelligence alongside Siri AI, a rebuilt version of Siri that can understand personal context, work across apps, and answer questions about what’s on a user’s screen.

The announcement headlines Apple’s software updates coming later this year through iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27.

According to Apple, Siri AI can search across messages, emails, photos, and other personal data to help users complete tasks. It can also understand on-screen content, retrieve information from the web, and generate responses using broader world knowledge. A dedicated Siri app will let users revisit previous conversations across devices through private iCloud syncing.

The upgraded Apple Intelligence platform also powers new features across Apple’s apps. Photos gains Spatial Reframing, which lets users improve photo composition after capture. Image Playground adds more advanced image generation tools, while Messages and Mail receive smarter suggestions and productivity features.

New parental controls and Screen Time tools

Apple is also expanding parental controls with new child account features and additional Screen Time management tools.

Parents can set up age-appropriate protections immediately through child accounts and choose which apps children can access. Communication Safety features now allow parents to approve new contacts and enable automatic interventions when explicit or violent content is shared.

The company is also introducing category-based daily time allowances for Entertainment, Games, and Social Media apps. Parents can create schedules that control app access throughout the day, while a redesigned Screen Time dashboard offers a clearer view of device usage and app activity.

Faster software across Apple devices

Apple says its upcoming software releases will improve performance across its ecosystem.

The company claims iPhone and iPad apps launch up to 30% faster, photos load up to 70% faster after capture, and AirDrop transfers are up to 80% faster. Apple has also rebuilt search experiences in Spotlight, Photos, and Mail to improve stability and efficiency.

Additional updates include iCloud Shared Albums with full-resolution sharing, expanded health tracking features, custom EQ controls for AirPods, faster Wi-Fi connections on Apple Vision Pro, and an enhanced Flyover experience in Apple Maps.

Availability

The new features are available for developer testing starting today. Apple will launch a public beta through the Apple Beta Software Program next month.

The company plans to release the software updates as free downloads this fall. Siri AI will enter beta later this year for supported devices set to English, with additional language support arriving afterward.

Apple Intelligence and Siri AI will be available on supported Apple Intelligence-capable devices, including iPhone 16 models and newer, select iPads and Macs with Apple silicon, Apple Vision Pro, and compatible Apple Watch models.

Gaming

Xbox saves Kojima’s PHYSINT after PlayStation drops support

PlayStation says the separation was mutual, but Kojima hints otherwise.

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Things aren’t going well in the PlayStation camp. After two months of frankly questionable decisions, the company adds another to the pile by dropping support for Hideo Kojima’s PHYSINT.

For a while now, Kojima and PlayStation were in a very productive relationship with the Death Stranding duology, a critically acclaimed collection of titles for the platform. When things looked like they were going well, Kojima announced PHYSINT, an espionage-themed game which reminded fans way too much of Metal Gear Solid.

If you were investing in a PlayStation 5 to play Kojima’s latest thriller, you might want to move your chips elsewhere now. PlayStation has just dropped support for the espionage game, meaning PHYSINT will no longer be a first-party title for the platform.

Though PlayStation claims that the decision came after “careful consideration,” Kojima himself has said that the move was “unexpected,” going against PlayStation’s assurance of a mutual separation.

Very quickly, Xbox has announced that their platform will support PHYSINT instead. It’s a big get for the competing brand because Xbox Game Studios is already supporting OD, Kojima’s other upcoming horror project starring Sophia Lillis.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to say more. As is tradition, Kojima will not explain much more about his upcoming titles. In fact, OD’s trailer barely says anything. One thing’s for sure, though: we’re all in for quite a ride.

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Entertainment

PH to celebrate 1st ever National Cinema Day; movies start at less than $2

Watch a movie on September 12 for a fraction of the cost

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The Philippines will be celebrating its first ever National Cinema Day on September 12. On this day, movie tickets will go for as low as PhP 100 (US$ 1.60) at regular 2D cinemas.

The campaign aims to make moviegoing more accessible to audiences. This includes families, friends, students, and cinephiles in general.

Such initiative has been a staple in other countries, like the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and more. The same concept applies, with movie tickets going on sale for a lot less.

What’s great about the celebration is that all movies scheduled for exhibition on September 12, whether local or international, shall get the special admission price.

Advanced tickets sales have already begun. Customers can purchase through participating box offices, official websites, mobile apps, and authorized platforms.

Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to theater capacity. Prices vary for other viewing formats like Director’s Club or IMAX, for instance.

The campaign is organized by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP), along with industry and government partners.

The initiative is supported by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), and the Metro Manila Film Festival through the MMDA.

Participating cinemas include Ayala Malls Cinemas, SM Cinemas, Robinsons Movieworld, CityMall Cinema, Megaworld Cinemas, and more.

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News

iPhone Duo: Price, availability in the Philippines

As listed on the Apple website

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Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone. It uses a passport-style design that opens into a larger display while retaining a more conventional smartphone experience when folded.

Price and availability

The iPhone Duo starts at PhP 159,990 in the Philippines for the 256GB model as listed on the Apple website.

Here’s the full local pricing:

  • 256GB — PhP 159,990
  • 512GB — PhP 175,990
  • 1TB — PhP 207,990
  • 2TB — PhP 254,990

The iPhone Duo comes in Star White and Night Sky.

Actual availability in the Philippines has yet to be officially announced.

A foldable design with two displays

The iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch outer display when folded and expands to a 7.6-inch main display when opened. Both orientations use the same aspect ratio, allowing iOS to transition between them seamlessly.

The rear chassis uses Ceramic Shield, while the front display gets Ceramic Shield 2. The device is also IP68-rated for dust and water resistance.

Its hinge uses carbon fiber supports and magnets that produce an audible click when the phone is folded.

A20 Pro brings flagship performance

The iPhone Duo is powered by the A20 Pro, the same chip found in the iPhone 18 Pro series. Apple says the chip delivers 35 percent better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro.

It also comes with the new C2 cellular modem, which provides up to 50 percent faster uploads. Like other foldables, the Duo can be used in different configurations, including tent mode and a partially folded book-like position.

48-megapixel camera system

The iPhone Duo gets a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera alongside a 12-megapixel 2x telephoto camera.

For selfies and video calls, it has a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera. The inner display also uses an under-screen camera for a cleaner look.

Battery life goes beyond a day

The iPhone Duo offers up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display and up to 44 hours using the outer display.

Charging is also quick. Apple says a 20-minute charge can replenish half the battery, while a five-minute charge can provide up to five hours of video playback.

For the complete specifications and first-look details, check out our main iPhone Duo launch coverage.

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