The Comunicano for Monday June 9th 2025
Madcap Monday
You know… sometimes, we tend to forget the point of technology. It’s not about out-benchmarking your competitor. It’s not about beating the market to the next buzzword. And it’s definitely not about shoving more features into a device just because you can.
It’s about people.
It’s about the moments between your heartbeat and your next idea. The space between your body and the world. That’s where real innovation lives.
So when I look at one of the new OS updates that’s coming today from Apple, this “watchOS 26”, and I see whispers of blood pressure tracking… I don’t just see health data. I see potential. Quiet potential. The kind that doesn’t shout. The kind that listens.
Now, sure, some will say that Apple’s AI isn’t impressive. That Apple’s falling behind. But I don’t buy it. Because Raw Power (Iggy Pop reference) isn't enough. Power without purpose is noise.
Look around. Every company is sprinting to show off the next shiny model. But integration? Trust? Respect for your privacy? That’s a different game entirely. And frankly, it's the only one that matters.
Apple didn’t get to where they are by rushing. They got there by thinking deeply. Thinking Different. By understanding that design is not just how something looks, but how it works. How it feels. How it fits into a billion people’s lives without demanding anything from them.
This new interface “Solarium.” Transparent. Unified. Subtle. That’s not just an aesthetic. That’s a philosophy. When the interface disappears, the experience begins. You shouldn’t notice the technology. You should see your life, elevated.
Look, better AI will come from Apple. It’ll be smarter. More conversational. That’s inevitable. But let’s not confuse speed with progress. This is not a race to be first. It’s a responsibility to get it right.
The future of computing isn’t about shouting louder. It’s about listening better. It’s about trust. And trust… trust is built one choice at a time.
A watch that monitors your blood pressure? That’s not about tech. That’s about you, living longer, living better, living fully.
Apple’s far from done with AI. I actually think they are just getting started.
Because real innovation? Real magic? It’s not in the keynote. It’s in the silence that follows, and when the world works just a little better than it did the day before. Just like every day, the news gets delivered to you. All in THE COMUNICANO!!!
Andy Abramson
Apple Watch
Major Reveals at Apple’s WWDC 2025 (CNET)—Apple unveiled a sweeping software refresh at WWDC 2025, headlined by the new “Solarium” interface—a sleek, transparent aesthetic rolling out across iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The company is also aligning OS names with calendar years—iOS 26, macOS 26, and so on—for easier version clarity. Key feature updates include polls and chat wallpapers in Messages, a new Games app that merges Apple Arcade with broader game management, Markdown export in Notes, and smarter AI-powered battery optimization. AirPods gain live translation, while watchOS 26 is rumored to introduce blood pressure tracking. Siri improvements are modest, with Apple treating this cycle as a “gap year” for AI. Read more here
These Developers Can’t Get Excited About Apple’s AI Efforts (The Wall Street Journal)—Despite WWDC 2025’s promotion of on-device AI, many developers are unimpressed. They argue Apple’s models lack the flexibility and raw power of cloud-based tools like ChatGPT or Gemini. Customization is limited, and while some niche use cases are viable, overall enthusiasm remains low. Developers also cite Apple’s strained relationships post-Epic Games ruling and a privacy-first stance that restricts innovation. Siri’s underperformance adds to doubts. With rivals moving faster, Apple’s conservative approach may leave it trailing in the eyes of its most vital creative partners. Read more here
AI Needs Apple to Step Up (ZDNet)—ZDNet makes the case that the future of AI depends more on Apple than Apple depends on cutting-edge AI. While Apple trails rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic in raw model performance, its strength lies in hardware integration, user trust, and privacy-first design. With a billion-device ecosystem, Apple has the reach and reliability needed to mainstream AI—if it delivers. However, Siri remains underwhelming and Apple Intelligence is playing catch-up. The verdict: AI’s growth needs Apple’s scale, polish, and consistency more than another flashy demo. Read more here
Apple Study Calls Out “Reasoning” AI as Overhyped (9meters.com)—Apple researchers critically examine “chain-of-thought” reasoning models, concluding that while flashy, they’re not truly engaging in logic. They excel at intermediate tasks but falter at complex ones. Reddit users echo the sentiment: “Non‑reasoning models are more efficient… reasoning models are better at medium complexity… both aren’t great at very tough things.” Still, they caution it's not total rejection—just realism. This serves as a cautionary note amid AI hype cycles and underscores Siri’s ongoing limitations. Read more here
AI Watch
I Read All of Cloudflare’s Claude‑Generated Commits (MaxMitchell.com)—Max Mitchell dives into Cloudflare’s OAuth 2.1 library, noting it was nearly entirely authored by Claude. He praises the transparency—prompts and iterations were logged in Git. It’s an archaeological record of human–AI collaboration; he likens it to “watching a real-time conversation (and sometimes struggle) between human intuition and artificial intelligence.” This piece illustrates the evolving interplay between engineers and LLMs in real work. Read more here
Let’s Get to the Point: Three Newsrooms on AI Summaries (NiemanLab.org)—Nieman Lab spotlights The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and Yahoo as frontrunners in deploying AI-powered summaries. WSJ nails it with bullet points following editorial review; Bloomberg amplifies engagement via mobile feed enhancements; Yahoo focuses on safe, informative lead summaries. All stress that AI isn’t a replacement—it’s a tool to improve clarity, reader experience, and discovery while keeping journalists at the helm. Read more here
Inside the Secret Meeting Where Mathematicians Struggled to Outsmart AI (ScientificAmerican.com)—In mid-May, thirty elite mathematicians secretly convened in Berkeley to challenge an advanced reasoning chatbot. Designed to crack professor-level problems, the bot exceeded expectations—some attendees claimed “these models are approaching mathematical genius.” The event puts a spotlight on the profound capabilities of modern LLMs, raising profound questions about AI’s role in original mathematical discovery. Read more here
UK Ministers Delay AI Regulation Amid Plans for More ‘Comprehensive’ Bill (The Guardian)—The UK government has postponed light-touch AI regulation, opting instead for a comprehensive bill slated in the next parliamentary session—likely spring 2026. This follows a shift from standalone LLM oversight to broader inclusion of copyright, safety, and ethics. The delay, partly driven by alignment with expected US policies, draws backlash from creators over the opt-out copyright model. Peter Kyle pledges cross-party dialogue, yet critics argue the postponement weakens protections. Read more here
Chinese Tech Giants Suspend AI Features During College Entrance Exams (Tech in Asia)—Major Chinese tech firms including Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance, and Moonshot temporarily disabled image-recognition and chat features on AI platforms such as Qwen, Yuanbao, and Kimi during the Gaokao, China’s high-stakes national college entrance exams (June 7–10), to uphold fairness and prevent cheating. With over 13 million students taking the test, these restrictions were reinforced by biometric surveillance, radio-signal blockers, and AI-monitored exam halls. Local governments even adjusted traffic and event schedules to ensure a quiet exam environment. The move underscores rising concerns about AI misuse and reflects a unified stance to protect educational integrity. Read more here
App Watch
New Apps Help Immigrants Navigate U.S. Deportation Crackdown (Rest of World)
A new wave of digital tools is helping undocumented immigrants respond to intensified U.S. immigration enforcement. Apps like Hack Latino and Guatemala’s ConsulApp Guate provide real-time alerts about ICE activity, legal guidance, “Know Your Rights” resources, and emergency contact functions. These platforms serve as modern extensions of traditional community defense systems, offering migrants a way to stay informed and safer amid rising deportation operations. Many developers work quietly, concerned about visibility and possible retaliation. As ICE raids and deportation flights ramp up, these tools have become essential lifelines for migrant communities. Read more here
Privacy Watch
OpenAI Confronts User Panic Over Court-Ordered Retention of ChatGPT Logs (Ars Technica)—A U.S. judge has ordered OpenAI to indefinitely retain all ChatGPT conversation logs—including those users have deleted—for potential evidence in The New York Times’ copyright lawsuit. Previously, OpenAI deleted most user chats after 30 days, but this standard practice is now paused. The ruling impacts Free, Plus, Pro, and Team users, while Enterprise, Education, and API customers with zero-data agreements are exempt. OpenAI is appealing the decision, calling it a serious privacy overreach. CEO Sam Altman compared AI chats to conversations with doctors or lawyers arguing they deserve the same confidentiality. Though retained chats remain internally secure and inaccessible to the public, privacy experts warn this sets a troubling precedent. Read more here
In a Dangerous Era for Journalism — A Powerful New Tool to Help Protect Sources (The Guardian)—The Guardian, in partnership with the University of Cambridge, has introduced “Secure Messaging,” a feature in its app designed to protect anonymous communications from whistleblowers. Unlike standard encrypted channels, this system disguises tip submissions as ordinary traffic, blending them seamlessly with regular usage to avoid detection. The open-source code is available for other news outlets to adopt, reinforcing the Guardian’s commitment to source protection amid rising global threats to press freedom, including scrutiny by US authorities. The tool builds on prior academic research and has undergone independent audits. Read more here
EV Watch
Gas Stations Expand to Serve EVs (New York Times)—As electric vehicles proliferate, traditional gas stations are evolving into multi-service hubs. Many chains, including Wawa and Sheetz, are adding high-speed EV chargers, convenience-store upgrades, dine-in options, and even package lockers. Located along major corridors, these new “fuel stops” aim to capitalize on EV drivers’ needs during longer charging stops. Analysts note higher dwell times offer upsell opportunities on food, coffee, and retail—compensating for money lost as gasoline demand wanes. For EV drivers, the future pit stop looks more like a mini-mall than a roadside station. Read more here
Starbucks Watch
Is Starbucks Reversal of Automation the New Game in Town? (LSE USAPP Blog)—In April 2025, Starbucks began rolling back its automated “Siren System” and rehiring baristas across 3,000 US stores. The automated drink-making rollout started in 2022 but disappointed customers and compromised brand experience in a weak sales climate. CEO Brian Niccol chose to invest in labor over machines, reversing course. LSE’s Leslie Willcocks applauds the pivot, noting that while Starbucks has pursued digital transformation for eight years, automation proved inadequate where human connection matters. The shift underscores a broader industry lesson: operational efficiency must balance with customer experience. Read more here
Marketing Watch
McDonald’s Goes Behind the Scenes to Amp Up Snack Wrap Return (Marketing Dive)—McDonald’s is building anticipation for the July 10 return of its beloved Snack Wrap with a full-scale, behind-the-scenes campaign. The effort includes a nostalgic “Snack Wrap Files” web portal, TV ads featuring fan stories, out-of-home placements, and an interactive Snapchat push with AR filters and reminder tools. Created by Wieden+Kennedy and supported by a multi-agency team, the campaign taps into consumer nostalgia and fan enthusiasm, aiming to reignite brand engagement. It reflects McDonald’s ongoing strategy to use culturally resonant content to drive excitement and counter slower foot traffic. Read more here
Chrome Extensions as Growth Engines (Marketer Gems)—Marketer Gems argues Chrome extensions are “the most overlooked marketing channel.” Living directly in users’ browsers, extensions like Grammarly and Ahrefs’ SEO Toolbar offer daily utility without interrupting workflows. They drive consistent brand interaction—from free chrome toolbar features to premium upsells. With rising customer acquisition costs, extensions can be a savvy growth lever: low churn, high visibility, and an always-on presence. Brands should start with a simple, problem-solving tool, then build upgrade paths, says Tom Snyder. Done right, an extension becomes a silent sales agent, opening new engagement touchpoints beyond email and ads. Read more here
Design Watch
How to Multiply Your Value as a Designer in the Age of AI (Dive Club)—In an increasingly automated landscape, designers can distinguish themselves by becoming “growth product designers”—a blend of design, data analysis, UX research, business prioritization, and rapid iteration. The article offers five key strategies:
Start with data and hypotheses – tie design experiments to measurable business outcomes
Fail forward – run small experiments, iterate quickly, and re-test
Apply cognitive psychology – use heuristics like Hick’s Law to reduce friction
Focus on learning over polish – ship scrappy to gain insights
Show measurable impact – link design work to real outcomes and accountability
By embracing a test-and-learn mindset, designers can elevate from artisan to strategic product partner in the AI era. Read more here
