QtrendsApple debuts Siri AI and partners with Google for China expansion
Apple kicked off WWDC 2026 with a major overhaul of Siri powered by AI, alongside a surprise partnership with Google to bring Apple Intelligence features to the Chinese market as it awaits regulatory approval. China's AI industry also drew attention, with consultancies publishing lists of domestic AI leaders and global MNCs praising the country's innovation edge. The developments highlight the intensifying global AI race and Apple's strategy to navigate regulatory hurdles in its second-largest market.
Sources:
Consultancy firm unveils list of China's AI leaders
(China Daily)
Meta has quietly deleted face-recognition code from its smart glasses companion app following a WIRED investigation that exposed the feature. The removal, confirmed by multiple tech outlets, comes amid growing privacy concerns around wearable cameras and biometric data. Meta appeared to express frustration over the decision being forced into the open, but the move signals a retreat from one of the most controversial potential features of AI-powered eyewear.
Apple's watchOS 27 update brings significant new features powered by Siri AI and redesigned fitness tracking, but it also cuts support for several relatively modern Apple Watch models including the Series 8, Series 9, and the original Ultra. Tech reviewers have expressed frustration over the unusually long list of dropped devices, noting that some affected models are still being sold. The move suggests Apple is pushing a hardware refresh cycle tied to its AI upgrade narrative.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given Apple and Google an ultimatum to activate built-in features that prevent children from accessing sexually explicit images on their devices. The government is also preparing broader social media restrictions for minors, drawing inspiration from Australia's approach. The crackdown represents one of the most aggressive tech regulation pushes by the UK government, putting direct pressure on platform operators rather than relying on voluntary measures.
OpenAI has confidentially filed paperwork with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering, joining Anthropic and SpaceX in a wave of high-profile tech companies pursuing public listings. The filing, which OpenAI executives expect to leak despite confidentiality provisions, marks a major milestone for the AI industry and will test investor appetite for pure-play AI companies. The move signals OpenAI's maturation from research lab to publicly accountable corporation.