This week, Apple upgraded Messages for iOS 18’s beta to support Rich Communication Services (RCS). This lets iPhone users send better quality images and get read receipts when messaging Android users, but their texts still show up in green bubbles.
In AI news, OpenAI postponed the release of its advanced Voice Mode due to lingering issues, pushing its rollout to July for select ChatGPT Plus users, with wider availability anticipated in the fall pending safety and reliability checks. Meanwhile, OpenAI expanded its reach by launching ChatGPT for macOS users via a dedicated app, enhancing accessibility and usability for Mac-based interactions.
On regulatory fronts, the FCC proposed new rules aimed at facilitating phone unlocking, suggesting a mandatory 60-day window post-purchase for devices to become unlockable across different carriers. This move, however, raises potential challenges within current phone and wireless market dynamics, highlighting ongoing regulatory debates.
Apple Adds RCS to iOS 18 Beta for Better Messaging with Android Users
In other tech headlines, Apple reportedly halted plans to integrate Meta’s AI models over privacy concerns, diverging from earlier discussions reported by The Wall Street Journal. Additionally, Waymo eliminated its waitlist for robotaxi services in San Francisco, allowing immediate access via app download, furthering the adoption of self-driving technology in urban settings.
The tech landscape also witnessed philosophical debates, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg criticizing closed-source AI approaches and advocating for open-source models. This stance reflects broader industry discussions about the future and ethics of AI development.
Meanwhile, Andrew Ng’s AI Fund announced ambitious fundraising plans, aiming to secure over $120 million for its second venture supporting AI-driven solutions to critical challenges.
These developments underscore ongoing shifts and debates within the tech industry, from regulatory initiatives to philosophical debates about AI’s future and practical advancements in consumer technology.
