logo
Apple boss shares way to skip infuriating call centre ‘hold', summer holiday iPhone hack & free car upgrade for millions

Apple boss shares way to skip infuriating call centre ‘hold', summer holiday iPhone hack & free car upgrade for millions

Scottish Sun12-06-2025
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A TOP Apple executive has revealed the best new tricks coming to your phone later this year – and there's a bonus upgrade for drivers too.
In a UK-exclusive chat with The Sun, Apple's Greg Joswiak revealed a clever way to avoid being stuck on hold, an essential summer holiday hack, and a 'once-in-a-decade' change to the iPhone.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
23
The Sun's tech editor Sean Keach sat down with top Apple exec Greg Joswiak in Cupertino, California
Credit: The Sun
23
Greg revealed future AI plans, new free features coming to your iPhone soon, and a major upgrade for millions of drivers
Credit: The Sun
I sat down with 'Joz' at Apple Park in California this week to find out what's next for your iPhone, and whether the tech giant is 'late to AI'.
The company dished out a dizzying array of updates at its WWDC event earlier in the week, many of which were powered by AI.
Apple is locked in a gadget arms race with the likes of Google and Amazon – but Joz reckons Apple's strategy isn't 'late'. It's just different.
'Our strategy really is a bit different than what some other are doing,' Joz told us. He's one of Apple's most senior leaders, in charge of global marketing and reporting directly to company chief Tim Cook.
'We didn't want to create yet another chatbot. There's brilliant ones that are out there already – they do an amazing job.'
SMARTER PHONE
Joz explained that the whole point is that the apps and systems work better without gadget owners 'even always knowing that they're going to Apple Intelligence'.
Apple Intelligence debuted last year, adding the ability to create your own custom emoji, get help rewriting text, and generate images from scratch.
Some of the showy AI-supercharged Siri upgrades that were promised still haven't arrived yet – but a lot of the best AI tricks are meant to just quietly work without you noticing.
Joz gives the example of Hold Assist and Call Screening – two of the blockbuster features coming to your iPhone later this year, likely September.
Hold Assist is a robot that holds on a call centre line so you don't have to.
Apples's big announcements from WWDC with a flurry new features for the gadgets you already own
And once a human finally picks up, you'll be alerted and can join the call – dodging the misery of call centre hold music.
Call Screening is a similar AI feature that uses a robot to vet your calls.
So when a stranger rings you, the robot will gather info and then share it with you.
It'll ask the caller for their name and why they're calling – and then type the answer out on screen.
23
Your iPhone will soon be able to "hold" for you – freeing you up to live your life
Credit: Apple
'Those are great examples of how Intelligence can help the features without you necessarily knowing you're using intelligence, right?,' Joz said.
'And again, you didn't have to go on an Apple Intelligence app to make that happen.
'It's just the experience is better.'
He went on: 'We can recognise: we know you're on hold music. Do you want us to help you here?
'We can put you on hold and we can take care of it from there.'
These tricks are coming in the iOS 26 update later this year.
It's a free upgrade that'll roll out to millions of iPhone models.
And not only are they handy tricks to avoid a nuisance, Call Screening might even save you from a costly nightmare.
23
Call Screening means you don't have to pick up the phone to spammers – or worse, scammers
Credit: Apple
23
Joz said that Call Screening is an "effective" feature that you might not even realise uses AI
Credit: The Sun
'In its most ideal state, keeping you from getting scammed is a good thing,' Joz said.
'But we all get spam, whether it's in our messages or our phone calls. And we're always looking for ways to deal with this.
'And here's yet another one – and hopefully a pretty effective one.'
Joz also points out that the current line-up of AI tricks is just the beginning.
Apple rarely talks about the future – but Joz teased plans to introduce significant AI upgrades for years to come.
'This isn't something that we do for one, two, three years,' he told us.
'This is the kind of thing we'll be working on for a decade, or decades, right? We're working on this for a long time because it's incredibly powerful stuff.'
TALK TO ME!
One of the headline new features is the roll-out of Live Translation.
23
The Sun's tech editor was able to test the Live Translation feature in Messages
Credit: The Sun
23
It can automatically translate conversations with you – eliminating language barriers entirely
Credit: The Sun
This lets you understand and even speak in foreign languages live during conversations.
It's available inside the Translate app, but will also work across text conversations in Messages, FaceTime, and even phone calls.
It all happens in real-time, so you can have a natural conversation even if you don't speak the same language as the person you're chatting with.
'I'm especially looking forward to using it when I travel.
23
Live Translate will also work over FaceTime video calls
Credit: Apple
23
You'll be able to use Live Translate on regular phone calls too
Credit: Apple
'We've all found ourselves in a situation where we're in a different country, and we're running into somebody who doesn't speak to the same language.'
Joz added: 'We can all think of times that we could have used something like that.
'And now you have it and it's, again, very simple to use.'
FRESH APPLE
The new updates don't just add AI tricks, though.
Apple has also announced a brand new redesign for how the software on its gadgets looks.
IOS 26 SUPPORTED DEVICES – THE FULL LIST
Here are the iOS 26 supported devices... iPhone 16e
iPhone 16
‌iPhone 16‌ Plus
iPhone 16 Pro
‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max
iPhone 15
‌iPhone 15‌ Plus
‌iPhone 15‌ Pro
‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max
‌iPhone‌ 14
‌iPhone‌ 14 Plus
‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro
‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max
‌iPhone‌ 13
‌iPhone‌ 13 mini
‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro
‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max
‌iPhone‌ 12
iPhone 12 mini
‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
‌iPhone‌ 11
‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (3rd gen)
iPhone‌ SE (2nd gen)
Picture Credit: Apple
23
Greg said this latest redesign is even bigger than the iOS 7 makeover back in 2013
Credit: The Sun
The makeover is called Liquid Glass and, as the name suggests, looks very glassy.
Senior Apple execs say the new icons and animations are so technically demanding, they wouldn't have been possible until recently.
'You're seeing content beneath this glass, this translucent glass, which reflects the light. All that is happening with no latency in real time,' Joz said.
'This is a big thing to do, right?
23
iOS 26 introduces a glassy new look for the iPhone
Credit: Apple
'And so it's not the kind of thing you want to do too often, right?
'It's kind of an opportunity that comes around every decade or so. The last time we did this was 2013, so 12 years ago with iOS 7.'
He added: 'This one is, in a lot of ways, even more ambitious.
Joz explained that iOS 7 was just about improving the design for iPhone.
23
It totally changes how buttons, icons, and apps appear
Credit: Apple
23
The new Liquid Glass aesthetic is rolling out across Apple's entire line-up of gadgets
Credit: Apple
But this revamp works to 'commonise' the look across almost all of Apple's gadgets.
'They do come from one company and one design time. It should feel that way, right?
'And it should feel more comfortable as you're using them or moving across our products.'
ON THE ROAD
Of course it's not just iPhones, iPads, and Macs getting upgraded – but your car too.
23
Apple CarPlay is also getting a Liquid Glass makeover
Credit: Apple
23
The new CarPlay adds Message Tapbacks so you can quickly react to texts with an emoji
Credit: Apple
Apple is the tech titan behind CarPlay, the software that's now supported by almost every new car.
CarPlay launched back in 2014, and uses your iPhone to offer an infotainment system on your car's screen.
It can happen via a cable or even wirelessly, and gives you access to your apps, music, contacts and much more.
'It's a sigh of relief when you get in the car and you say: 'Oh my goodness, it has CarPlay.
23
CarPlay works using your iPhone – so the new features are coming as part of iOS 26
Credit: Apple
'You know automatically how to use everything – but it also has your content, which is great.
'You know how to use your maps, you want to listen to your music.'
He added: 'Many people are like you – they wouldn't be a car without CarPlay.'
CarPlay is extremely popular.
23
You'll be able to add widgets to your CarPlay screen for the first time
Credit: Apple
23
CarPlay will also support a special Liquid Glass Dark Mode
Credit: Apple
Joz noted that CarPlay is used a staggering 600 million times a day around the world.
'It is by far the most popular phone projection system in a car,' Joz said.
'We worked very hard to minimise glance time and to make sure that you didn't have to take your eyes off the road for longer than a couple seconds to get something done.
'And to be able to do things with your voice as much as possible – and to create a very simple user interface.
'To your point, it has become incredibly important to our users."
CarPlay is changing with iOS 26. For a start, it's getting the slick new Liquid Glass look.
But you'll be able to use Tapbacks for messages to quickly react, widgets for your screen with important info, and Live Activities (like a sports score).
Apple has also just (finally) debuted its next major version of CarPlay: CarPlay Ultra.
23
CarPlay Ultra is a souped-up version of CarPlay that also bundles in your car's instruments and controls
Credit: Apple
It's now available in new models from British motoring giant Aston Martin, but it's destined for more vehicles in the future too.
With CarPlay Ultra, it's not just replacing your infotainment screen, but much more.
'We're also bringing out that next generation of CarPlay, which we just brought out for the first time about a month ago,' Joz told The Sun.
'CarPlay is this beautiful ability to use the features of your phone.
23
You can customise the look of your instrument panel in CarPlay
Credit: Apple
23
British motoring giant Aston Martin is the first carmaker to roll out CarPlay Ultra
Credit: Aston Martin
'We wanted to have an experience with CarPlay Ultra that allows you – through that same interface that you can control your phone – to also control the aspects of your car
'Whether it's the seat heaters or the heating system in general, or even the car radio.
'Things that are outside of normal iPhone capabilities. To control these with CarPlay Ultra.
'We're very happy with the initial rollout of that. Some of the first vehicles started coming out last month. There's plenty more brands working on it.'
WHO IS APPLE'S 'JOZ'?
Here's Apple's official bio for Joz...
"Greg 'Joz' Joswiak is Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, reporting to CEO Tim Cook," Apple writes.
"Since joining Apple in June 1986, Joz has played a pivotal role in developing and launching some of the world's most beloved consumer products, including the original iPod and iPhone.
"Joz began his career at Apple working on the early Macintosh computers and supporting the Mac's community of third-party developers.
"Joz has over 30 years of marketing and management experience at Apple, most recently as the vice president of Apple Product Marketing where he managed the product marketing and product management teams responsible for Apple's entire product lineup.
"Joz graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1986."
Picture Credit: Apple
ONE MORE THING
The list of new features announced at Apple's WWDC event this week was enormous.
So I asked Joz what he thinks people might have missed.
And he gave a special shout-out to a long-demanded iPad change – a good reminder that it's not just iPhone owners getting free upgrades.
'People were very excited about us being able to bring a new windowing system to iPadOS,' Joz said.
23
There's a brand new look for iPad too – bringing new window management in iPadOS 26
Credit: Apple
'And again, doing it in an Apple sort of way.
'Which is: look, if you love the simple experience that your iPad has today and you want to continue with that, then great.
'But if you want to take it further and be able to use multiple windows and menus and all the things that come with that, then we enabled that in a very simple way for iPad users as well.
Apple is expected to roll out its new software upgrades later this year – this usually happens in September.
23
Joz has decades of experience at Apple, and is one of company chief Tim Cook's most trusted advisors
Credit: The Sun
But we'd expect to see a public beta test version before then that you'll be able to download and try out before the full release.
So Apple fans, get those gadgets ready.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Apple revenue forecast beats estimates as iPhone sales soar
Apple revenue forecast beats estimates as iPhone sales soar

Reuters

time10 minutes ago

  • Reuters

Apple revenue forecast beats estimates as iPhone sales soar

SAN FRANCISCO, July 31 (Reuters) - Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab forecast revenue well above Wall Street's estimates on Thursday, following strong June-quarter results supported by customers buying iPhones early to avoid U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh said the company expects revenue growth for the current quarter in the "mid to high single digits," which exceeded the 3.27% growth to $98.04 billion that analysts expected, according to LSEG data. The company's fiscal third-quarter sales beat expectations by the biggest percentage in at least four years, according to LSEG. But CEO Tim Cook told analysts on a conference call that those tariffs had cost Apple $800 million in the June quarter and may add $1.1 billion in costs to the current quarter. Apple reported $94.04 billion in revenue for its fiscal third quarter ended June 28, up nearly 10% from a year earlier and beating analyst expectations of $89.54 billion, according to LSEG data. Its earnings per share of $1.57 per share topped expectations of $1.43 per share. Apple shares were up 3% in after-hours trading, extending gains after Apple provided its forecast. Sales of iPhones, the Cupertino, California, company's best-selling product, were up 13.5% to $44.58 billion, beating analyst expectations of $40.22 billion. Apple has been shifting production of products bound for the U.S., sourcing iPhones from India and other products such as Macs and Apple Watches from Vietnam. The ultimate tariffs many Apple products could face remain in flux, and many of its products are currently exempt. Sales in its Americas segment, which includes the U.S. and could face tariff impacts, rose 9.3% to $41.2 billion. In Greater China, where Apple has faced long delays in approval to introduce AI features on its devices, sales were $15.37 billion, up from a year ago and above expectations of $15.12 billion, according to a survey of five analysts from data firm Visible Alpha. That gain was a turnaround from a year-over-year decline in China sales in the March quarter. In an interview with Reuters, Cook said the company set seasonal records for upgrades of iPhones, Macs, and Apple Watches. He said Apple estimates about 1 percentage point of its 9.6% of sales growth in the quarter was attributable to customers making purchases ahead of potential tariffs. "We saw evidence in the early part of the quarter, specifically, of some pull-ahead related to the tariff announcements," Cook told Reuters, though he also said the active user base for iPhones hit a record high in all geographies. The U.S. is still negotiating with both China and India, with Trump saying India could face 25% tariffs as early as Friday. However, analysts said India could still retain cost advantages for Apple in the longer term. "The pull-forward in demand due to tariffs was somewhat expected given the uncertainty around pricing. However, it's important to put this in context as this is typically a slow quarter for Apple, yet they still delivered exceptional results with iPhone growth," Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne said. Tariffs are only one of Apple's challenges. The company faces competition from rivals such as Samsung Electronics Co ( opens new tab in a tough market for premium-priced mobile phones. On the software front, Apple faces challenges from Alphabet (GOOGL.O), opens new tab, which is quickly weaving AI features into its competing Android operating system. While AI leaders Microsoft and Nvidia have seen their stock market values soar to record highs, Apple's shares have fallen 17% in 2025, with investors concerned about the impact of tariffs, and about what they view as slow progress integrating AI features into its products. Apple has delayed the release of an AI-enriched version of Siri, its virtual assistant, but Cook said the company is "making good progress on a personalized Siri." He also said Apple, which has thus far not engaged in the massive capital expenditures of its Big Tech rivals to pursue AI, is "significantly growing" its investments in artificial intelligence. "Apple has always been about taking the most advanced technologies and making them easy to use and accessible for everyone, and that's at the heart of our AI strategy," Cook said. Apple faces regulatory rulings in Europe that threaten to undermine its lucrative App Store business. Apple said sales from its services business, which includes the App Store as well as music and cloud storage, were $27.42 billion, topping analyst expectations of $26.8 billion. Sales of wearables such as AirPods and Apple Watches were $7.4 billion, missing estimates of $7.82 billion. Mac sales of $8.05 billion beat expectations of $7.26 billion, while iPads hit $6.58 billion in sales, missing expectations of $7.24 billion. Apple said gross margins were 46.5% in the fiscal third quarter, beating analyst expectations of 45.9%, according to LSEG estimates. The company forecast gross margins for the current quarter of 46% to 47%, with the entire range above estimates of 45.9%, according to LSEG data.

I tried Dyson's new Airwrap Co-anda 2x to see if it lived up to the hype - here's my honest opinion
I tried Dyson's new Airwrap Co-anda 2x to see if it lived up to the hype - here's my honest opinion

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

I tried Dyson's new Airwrap Co-anda 2x to see if it lived up to the hype - here's my honest opinion

Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more As someone who's tried just about every hair tool under the sun (hot brushes, wands, curling irons and hairdryers with attachments that promise too much), I can confidently say that the Dyson Airwrap launch back in 2018 changed the hair game. Then with 2024's Airwrap i.d's collection, it became the tool with equal parts wizardry and wind tunnel. So, when Dyson announced a new and improved model, the Airwrap Co-anda 2x, I had one question: how can it get better? I mean, it already curled without frying, smoothed without straightening plates, and made me feel like a tech-savvy professional hairstylist in my own home. But also, was it going to be faster? Lighter? Smarter? And would it finally tame my long bangs in one pass instead of two? After spending a week putting it through its paces on my fluffy, shoulder-length hair, I have thoughts - many of them enthusiastic, a few constructive. Here's everything you need to know about the new kid in the Dyson lineup. Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x multi-styler and dryer Powered by the new Dyson Hyperdymium 2 motor - delivering twice the air pressure. Better curling. Faster drying. Straighter styles. No heat damage. Includes the new AirSmooth2x finishing attachment, the perfect finishing tool for a straighter style using only air pressure. Shop How does the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x work? If you're unfamiliar with the Airwrap concept, here's the quick science bit: it doesn't fry your hair into submission like traditional hot tools. Instead, it uses a clever phenomenon called the Co-anda effect, where high-speed airflow naturally attracts and wraps the hair around the barrel. This all leads to the Dyson's famous smooth curls, waves, or sleek finishes without heat damage. Now, the Co-anda 2x has taken this up a few notches, powered by Dyson's most advanced motor yet - the Hyperdymium 2, which spins at a huge 150,000rpm. If that sounds like a maths equation, that's twice the air pressure compared to previous models and 30 per cent more power, so you're essentially wielding a tornado in a pretty ceramic pink (or deep Jasper Plum) wand. The tool comes with six attachments (all with savvy Radio Frequency Identification 'RFID' chips), each auto-adjusting to optimal airflow and heat settings when clicked into place. New tech like the i.d. curl feature even automates the curling process, adjusting airflow and temperature for a set-curl-release sequence. So lazy girls like me don't even have to think. What makes the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x stand out? First things first, this thing is lighter and smaller. Dyson's engineers have been busy miniaturising the motor while increasing power. I noticed the difference instantly, especially when reaching around to the back of my head (no more tiring bicep workouts). The attachments have had a glow-up too. And then there's the Fast Dryer 2x, which now performs on par with the Dyson Supersonic. My Review I've been using this tool daily, and I have to say it has been great. About my hair: I have medium length, fine, and non-processed hair. If I'm using a regular blow dryer, it takes at least 10 minutes to dry and a further 15 to 20 minutes to curl. And because my locks are so fine, my hair doesn't hold a curl well, even with loads of hairspray. The increased airflow of this new device means my curls hold better and faster, and the lighter body has made styling smoother, and less of an arm workout overall. The intelligent attachments take the guesswork out of setting temperatures, which is especially helpful if (like me) you're too impatient to read the instruction manuals. But, (yes, there's a but) the Conical barrel and the root smoother, my beloved two attachments from earlier models, are gone. And I miss them. The conical tong created natural, beachy curls that were tighter at the root and looser at the ends, something the uniform-width barrels just don't replicate quite as well. The root smoother on the other hand was great for those fuzzy flyaways. So Dyson, if you're listening… please bring these back. My lived-in texture is depending on you. I also noticed immediately that the cord is really (read: annoyingly) short, so you'll likely have to buy an extension cord if your plug isn't right next to your mirror. That said, the Co-anda 2x is undeniably the most sophisticated styling tool I've ever used. It feels future-forward but intuitive, and the ability to personalise curls via the MyDyson app is a brilliant touch (once you get past the initial setup). With a luxury price tag, it's no impulse buy. But if you're someone who regularly styles your hair and wants to maintain its health long-term, this machine is an investment. Would I recommend it? Absolutely, but I would say also that this does work best alongside the Dyson styling products. Another expense, but they're amazing and do last for absolutely ages. To shop the new Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x multi-styler and dryer, click here. Dyson provided Daily Mail with the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x multi-styler and dryer for testing purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely the reporter's own.

Apple overcomes Trump's trade war, slow start in AI to deliver surprisingly strong quarter
Apple overcomes Trump's trade war, slow start in AI to deliver surprisingly strong quarter

The Independent

time2 hours ago

  • The Independent

Apple overcomes Trump's trade war, slow start in AI to deliver surprisingly strong quarter

Apple shook off a thicket of tariffs and a botched entry into artificial intelligence to accelerate its revenue growth during its springtime quarter, but the trendsetting tech company still faces a bumpy road ahead that could lead to higher iPhone prices. The April-June results released Thursday came against a backdrop of adversity that has been raising worries about the trajectory of a longtime tech kingpin. Despite the doubts, Apple remains a moneymaking machine. The Cupertino, California, company earned $23.4 billion, or $1.57 per share, during its fiscal third quarter, a 9% increase from the same time last year. Revenue climbed 10% from a year ago to $94 billion. The company's iPhone sales surged 13% from a year ago to $44.6 billion. All those numbers were well above the analyst projections that steer investors, helping to boost Apple's recently slumping stock price by 2% in extended trading. But the unexpectedly solid performance doesn't necessarily mean it's smooth sailing ahead for Apple. President Donald Trump's trade war targeting foreign-made products such as the iPhone and Apple's stumbling start in the pivotal transition to AI is causing investors to question if the company will remain at the tech forefront as the industry moves into a new era. Before Thursday's report came out, Apple's stock price had plunged by 17% so far this year to wipe out more than $600 billion in shareholder wealth and knock the company off its perch as the world's most valuable company. Meanwhile, the shares of AI chipmaker Nvidia have surged 32% this year and the shares of AI pacesetter Microsoft have gained 27%, propelling the market value to $4 trillion. Even though Apple remains highly profitable, the tariffs that Trump has already imposed on China and other countries cost the company $900 million during the past quarter, with even more financial pain looming as his administration threatens to ramp up the fees. Apple softened the blow of Trump's tariffs on products made outside the U.S. during the past quarter by shifting its production of iPhones from China to India. But the administration intends to impose a 25% tariff on goods from India, a move that could intensify the pressure on Apple to raise the prices on the next generation of iPhones expected to be released in September. Meanwhile, Apple is still trying to fulfill the AI promises it made last year when it unveiled an array of new iPhone features built on the revolutionary technology, raising expectations that the shift would spur millions of people to upgrade their old devices. But Apple still hasn't delivered on an AI upgrade that was supposed to smarten up its often-bumbling virtual assistant Siri, one of the main reasons underlying the lackluster growth of iPhone sales. 'There are two big questions looming over Apple: How are you going to rejigger your business model to deal with the new tariff backdrop and then what is the company going to do to drive an upgrade cycle for the iPhone?' said Melissa Otto, a stock market analyst for S&P's Visible Alpha.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store