Apple’s goal for its Apple Intelligence-based Siri is to give it the ability to control apps through voice commands, but will be limited at launch, and may never control banking apps. It’s claimed that Apple is already testing this functionality across a series of popular third-party apps, such as Uber, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook and others. Apple is also building this into its own apps, plus some selected games. Reportedly, the feature will either exclude or at least limit the control of banking, financial and other sensitive apps, perhaps including health. That’s because the feature has to be entirely and constantly reliable, and Apple will not be rolling it out to all apps at once. The report claims that this use of Siri is enormously significant, and specifically that it is vastly more important than the promised ability to ask Siri the name of someone a user has forgotten. But that promise was a rare demonstration of AI being used for something people would actually do. It would turn the iPhone and Siri into a “Star Trek”-like device, and it could be an impressively fast way of using devices. But Apple needs to show us a reason to want Apple Intelligence, and “what’s the name of the guy I met that time” is what would persuade more people than a quicker way to leave a sarky comment on Facebook. Perhaps an improved search facility would help, too. The latest reports are that Siri may gain ChatGPT-like search powers in the first half of 2026.
Wear OS watches are showing Google Wallet photo passes containing a barcode or QR code, suggesting Google may be experimenting with support specifically for scannable photo passes rather than full photo pass
Some Wear OS watches are starting to show Google Wallet photo passes with patterns like QR codes or barcodes. The interface is in Spanish, and the pass includes a label that translates to “Press to scan,” suggesting it’s the kind of pass that contains a barcode or QR code. The other screenshot below shows a disclaimer explaining that the pass was created with a photo and that some of its information might not be visible on the watch, with a prompt to open it on your phone for the full view. hoto passes that include a QR code or barcode appear to show up on some Wear OS watches, while passes that are simply photos, like an image of a document, don’t. That suggests Google may be experimenting with support specifically for scannable photo passes rather than full photo pass support. There’s been no official announcement from Google, and its support pages still state that “private” passes aren’t supported on Wear OS. But this is the clearest sign yet that things might be changing.
Apple is reportedly testing a revamped version of Siri with select third-party apps that uses the App Intents system to let users take action in-app entirely with Siri voice commands
Apple is testing a revamped version of Siri with select third-party apps, including Uber, AllTrails, Threads, Temu, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, and a few games, according to the latest word from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Apple also continues to test the new Siri with its own apps, he said. When it first announced the new-and-improved Siri at WWDC 2024, Apple said it would have better understanding of a user’s personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls, with these features to be powered by Apple Intelligence and an upgraded App Intents system. The features will be available across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and Apple Intelligence has expanded to the Apple Vision Pro too. Gurman said the new App Intents system will let you take action within apps entirely with Siri voice commands: Here’s what the new App Intents will mean: With nothing but your voice, you’ll be able to tell Siri to find a specific photo, edit it and send it off. Or comment on an Instagram post. Or scroll a shopping app and add something to your cart. Or log in to a service without touching the screen. Essentially, Siri could operate your apps like you would — with precision, inside their own interfaces. Gurman said the new Siri is on track to launch in the U.S. in spring 2026. If so, it will likely be released as part of iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, macOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4 next March or April. Apple is considering limiting or disabling some new Siri abilities in banking and health apps, to ensure that Siri does not make the type of critical mistakes that have sometimes occurred during internal testing, according to Gurman.
Google Wallet app on Android now requires users to grant the location permission to get “detailed transaction receipts” with merchant name and addresses displayed on a map
Google Wallet app on Android now requires that you grant the location permission to get “detailed receipts” with addresses and maps. A detailed receipt includes merchant (store) name and address displayed on a map, with a Call shortcut also available. Previously, this was included by default, but Google Wallet made a change in late July/early August. My transactions in the past week don’t show the map card, just the cost, day/date, statement, and transaction ID. In place of where the map usually would be, there’s a prompt: “Get detailed receipts, like merchant name and address, for future tap to pay transactions.” If you tap “Set up location settings,” Google Wallet walks you through enabling the “Precise location” permission “While using the app.” Select a card and open your most recent receipt to start the process. Enabling location just brings back the old map, with no other updates to Google Wallet receipts. After enabling, past transactions that lack location will not retroactively get the map after granting the permission. Ideally, Google Wallet would notify users ahead of time about this change, so that they can enable it before missing the map on any of their last 10 payments. Overall, asking explicitly for location permission is always nice for privacy.
Chrome autofill to show reward details for more credit cards — expanded now to over 100; also expanding popular pay-over-time options beyond Affirm and Zip
Google Pay is getting a handful of updates today centered around Chrome autofill, like expanded card benefit details. Last year, Chrome’s autofill dropdown menu started showing credit card reward details to help you decide which payment method to use for a transaction. For example, you might see “1.5% cash back” or “3x points on flights” alongside a photo of the card and full name. Desktop and mobile Chrome now supports over 100 credit cards in the US after initially working with American Express and Capital One. In addition to Affirm and Zip, Klarna, Afterpay, and other providers will appear as “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) options in Chrome autofill. “Pay over time options” will appear beneath credit/debit cards in the menu. You’re then presented with a list of the various options, and can continue from there with a virtual card generated for this purchase. To make “global money transfer easier,” wallet.google.com and Google Search (when you look up currency exchange rates) will “show straightforward fee and exchange rate information with remittance providers like Ria Money Transfer, Xe and Wise.” “Compare quotes & send money” appears below the chart with the ability to specify the amount. In the Wallet website, there’s a new “International transfers” page. Google will also let you send funds with those services “from the U.S. to India, Brazil, Mexico and the Philippines.” …with Stripe processing the funding transaction. This is still in testing and coming soon.
Google will now allows users to select their preferred choice of news sites and blogs to be shown in the Top Stories section of Google’s search results
Google is rolling out a new feature called “Preferred Sources” in the U.S. and India, which allows users to select their preferred choice of news sites and blogs to be shown in the Top Stories section of Google’s search results. Enabling this feature means you will see more content from the sites you like, the company says. When users search for a particular topic, they will see a “star” icon next to the Top Stories section. They can tap on that icon and start adding sources by searching for them. Once you select the sources, you can refresh the results to see more content from your selected sources. Google said that for some queries, users will also see a separate “From your sources” section below the Top Stories section. This feature enables users to get information from sources they like, but that would also likely trap them in an ideological bubble without exposing them to different points of view on a particular topic. Google debuted this feature as a Search Labs feature on an experimental basis, so users had to opt in to enable it. The company said that during the test phase, more than half of the users selected four or more sources. Now, the company is making it available to all users for English language searches in the U.S. and India.
Four ways Google Wallet easily outshines Apple Wallet- custom cards, Wider compatibility across devices, Nearby pass notifications, easily manage Google Wallet online
While Google Wallet and Apple Wallet are similar in nature, they have several key differences that make one stand out over the other. Google Wallet has custom cards. Not all card types or passes are supported by digital wallet apps, such as those for your local library, gym, or coffee shop. That’s where Google Wallet’s “Everything Else” feature comes in handy. It enables you to add a custom card to your Google Wallet for use on the go. If the card has a QR code, Google Wallet can scan it and add it to the custom card. While the custom card might not fully replace the physical card, it offers a convenient way to store and access information like a loyalty card number or QR code when necessary. Wider compatibility across devices. While Apple Wallet does sync across your Apple devices, its compatibility isn’t nearly as extensive as Google Wallet. Google Wallet works with Pixels, of course, as well as Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, and many other Android brands. I hope someday I can open Google Wallet on my iPhone or use Apple Wallet on my Pixel. Until then, Google Wallet’s broader device support makes it more accessible and versatile. Nearby pass notifications. This feature lets you enable notifications for a specific card or pass when you’re in an area where it can be used. Although not all cards support it yet, it’s a helpful addition, and once more widely adopted, it will be very convenient. You can easily manage Google Wallet online. By visiting wallet.google.com and signing in to your Google account linked to Google Wallet, you can easily handle all your stored cards. Google Wallet’s website allows you to add or remove payment methods, loyalty cards, passes, and gift cards, as well as view your recent transactions. While you can do all this on your smartphone, using your PC is very convenient, especially if you want to review any transactions or update multiple cards.
Visa sees stablecoins ‘massively expanding’ its opportunities to provide fraud prevention, dispute resolution and compliance checks, along with connections to bank payment rails
Visa’s stablecoin strategies could include the launch of its own coin someday. “This is just another mechanism for value exchange,” Cuy Sheffield, Visa’s head of cryptocurrency, said. “I see it massively expanding our addressable market.” Many analysts see stablecoins as a potential opportunity for Visa, and not a threat. Stablecoin payments are in theory cheaper than card fees, they still require services such as fraud prevention, dispute resolution and compliance checks, along with connections to bank payment rails and fiat currency conversion. Visa wants to serve as a bridge as the flow of money shifts, using its infrastructure to help make stablecoins more mainstream for merchants and consumers. “They are going after the land grab of empowering every possible stablecoin platform with a payment capability,” said Richard Crone, chief executive officer of payments consultant Crone Consulting. “This is a really big opportunity.” Visa says, “Our focus is on what we can do today: scale stablecoin-linked cards, enable stablecoin settlement, and work closely with our bank partners to help them leverage stablecoins across a range of use cases. That’s our near-term priority and what’s active in the market right now.” “We are piloting and partnering with stablecoin companies … as we build out our stablecoin settlement stack … we are working to streamline treasury operations, improve liquidity management and enable quick and more cost effective cross-border transactions,” Visa CEO Ryan McInerney said.
Amazon reveals most significant grocery expansion
Amazon has announced a major grocery expansion. Tens of millions of Prime members in more than 1,000 cities and towns can now shop for fresh groceries with their Same-Day Delivery orders. The company has plans to expand this offering to over 2,300 cities and towns across the United States by year-end. This marks one of the most significant grocery expansions for Amazon as the company introduces thousands of perishable food items into its existing logistics network. Amazon has been piloting the service in regions including Phoenix, Ariz., Orlando, Fla., and Kansas City, Mo., with these consumers having embraced the convenience. According to the company, many of these shoppers were first-time Amazon grocery customers who now return to shop twice as often with Same-Day Delivery service compared to those who didn’t purchase fresh food. “We’re seeing strong customer adoption as 75% of customers who’ve used the service this year are first time shoppers for perishables on Amazon, with 20% of customers who use the service returning multiple times within their first month,” commented CEO Andy Jassy. Amazon is finding success delivering perishables thanks to its specialized temperature-controlled fulfillment network that ensures customers receive fresh grocery items. Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores said, “By introducing fresh groceries into our Same-Day Delivery service, we’re creating a quick and easy experience for customers.
Apple Card Apple Card slips in satisfaction rankings—outpaced by Hilton AmEx and Costco Visa—as users prioritize high-value rewards and preferences shift beyond no-fee simplicity
The Apple Card isn’t the customer service standout it once was, with new data showing satisfaction slipping as consumers chase richer perks elsewhere. The 2025 study gave Apple Card a satisfaction score of 624 out of 1,000. This was down from 654 in 2024. The drop pushed it behind Hilton Honors American Express, which scored 641. It also fell behind Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi, which scored 629 in the best co-branded credit cards category. Apple Card, issued by Goldman Sachs, had topped the J.D. Power credit card rankings for this segment every year since 2020. J.D. Power’s research evaluates seven factors like account management, customer service, rewards earning and redemption, and terms. The decline suggests Apple Card lost ground in some categories, though the study doesn’t specify which ones. Hilton Honors AmEx and Costco Anywhere Visa are linked to loyalty programs offering travel perks and store benefits to high spenders. The trend shows more consumers are willing to pay fees or change spending habits for better rewards. Searches like “Apple Card vs Hilton Honors AmEx” or “Apple Card vs Costco Anywhere Visa” are now more competitive for potential cardholders comparing benefits. Apple Card is known for its no-fee structure and simplicity, making it a top no-annual-fee credit card in 2025. However, that isn’t good enough in a rewards-focused market. A J.D. Power report highlights a growing divide between financially healthy customers and those under strain. Cardholders without revolving debt reported higher satisfaction, especially with annual-fee rewards cards. Financially challenged customers, who make up over half of U.S. cardholders, rated lower on credit limits, account management, and balance transfers. Apple Card lost its top spot as Goldman Sachs reportedly considered exiting the partnership. Although J.D. Power’s survey doesn’t link issuer stability to satisfaction, uncertainty about the card’s future could affect customer perceptions.