SAN FRANCISCO: Apple unveiled improvements to maps, messaging and its Siri voice assistant. It’s also bringing an “SOS” feature to its watch to automatically call for help in an emergency.
The company previewed new features for its iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch and Mac software as the weeklong Apple Worldwide Developers Conference opened in San Francisco.
Here is a look at some of Apple’s announcements:
BETTER MESSAGING
Apple is trying to make its messaging app smarter, more versatile and more engaging as part of an upcoming update to its iPhone and iPad software.
Users will be able to change the size of the bubbles surrounding the text to help convey the feelings underlying the words.
For instance, an expression of love might be displayed in a large bubble while a message of condolence might be shown in a very small bubble.
The updated app will also automatically suggest emojis to place alongside texts using machine learning.
SIRI ON COMPUTERS, OTHER UPGRADES
The digital assistant, first introduced on iPhones in 2011, will now be available on Mac computers.
That follows a trend in which Microsoft and Google have built similar voice services to their operating systems for computers.
Microsoft added its digital assistant, Cortana, to the Windows 10 operating system released last year.
Apple is also letting Siri work with applications made by other companies.
The change will open up new ways for Siri to help iPhone owners get things done more quickly.
Apple wants to make Siri smarter by using what it calls differential privacy.
Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy explains it as Apple using non-personal information in aggregate to teach Siri new tricks, then having all the personalization take place on the individual device.
It’s in contrast to Google’s approach of doing everything over the Internet.
REDESIGNED MAPS
Apple has opened its once-maligned Maps app to developers.
The company says that will enable you to find a restaurant, book a reservation, request a car from Uber or Lyft and pay for it using Apple Pay, all without leaving the Maps app.
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS
Apple is unveiling a redesign of its music service, Apple Music, aimed at simplicity and making it easier to find music stored on the device as opposed to streamed from the Internet.
It also has lyrics now, as well as personalized, daily curated playlists and a “discovery mix” to help users find new music.
The service now has 15 million paying subscribers, 2 million more than in April.
WEB PAYMENTS
Apple’s payment system, Apple Pay, is coming to the web.
The service already lets people pay in stores without opening a separate app, by holding their phone or watch near a reader.
Apple says users can now use their phone’s fingerprint sensor to pay and check out when they are shopping online using a web browser. Google brought a similar feature to Android Pay last month.
WATCH THIS
Apple will bring fitness tracking to wheelchair users in an upcoming Apple Watch update.
Among other things, it will prompt users to wheel themselves about — an equivalent to standing breaks.
The efforts may boost the image of Apple’s smartwatch over stand-alone fitness trackers, though the target market isn’t huge.
The next version of Apple’s software for watches will also include an “SOS” feature that will automatically call for help in emergencies.
THE MAC
Apple’s new Mac system will be called macOS Sierra.
Besides getting Siri, it will let users move more seamlessly between different kinds of Apple devices.
It will help people move more files to the Internet to free up space. And Apple Watch owners will be able to log into their Macs without a password.
TELEVISION
Apple is making it easier to use its Apple TV set-top box as the new hub of a digital home.
You’ll be able to sign in once to access multiple apps from various TV network providers.
You can launch live TV viewing with voice command and search YouTube and the iTunes store for videos using Siri.
LEARN TO CODE
A new, free app for the iPad aims to make learning to code “fun and easy for anyone,” Apple says.
The app, Swift Playgrounds, will use on-screen characters and animations to teach basics as well as more complex lessons.
The company developed a set of lessons that teach computer programming through core coding concepts.
It plans to regularly release new challenges so students can continue to improve their coding skills.
Apple unveils new features for iPhone, iPad, TV and Mac
Apple unveils new features for iPhone, iPad, TV and Mac
Arab Energy Fund approved for Panda bonds, first MENA multilateral issuer in China
RIYADH: The Arab Energy Fund has received regulatory approval to issue Panda bonds in China, marking a significant step in linking Middle Eastern and Chinese capital markets.
This decision makes the Riyadh-based institution the first multilateral financial institution from the Middle East and North Africa region to secure such approval, granting it direct access to China’s domestic bond market.
According to a press release, the approval was granted by the Asian country’s National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors, the regulator overseeing the interbank bond market.
This milestone reflects rapidly deepening ties between the Gulf Cooperation Council, especially Saudi Arabia, and China.
Recent high-level engagements have prioritized strategic investment and technology transfer in Vision 2030 sectors, resulting in dozens of agreements, and in December Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the China-GCC partnership as vital for safeguarding common interests and strengthening Global South resilience.
Under the program, TAEF is authorized to issue up to 10 billion Chinese yuan ($1.4 billion) in Renminbi-denominated bonds. The fund can issue these Panda bonds in multiple tranches over a two-year period, providing flexible, long-term capital for its strategic investments.
Vicky Bhatia, chief financial officer of the Arab Energy Fund, said: “This milestone allows us to further diversify our funding sources by tapping into a deep pool of Chinese investors, while laying a strong foundation for closer collaboration between a highly rated multilateral financial institution from the MENA region and China’s capital markets.”
This access represents a major diversification of TAEF’s funding strategy. Panda bonds provide a stable and direct source of Renminbi financing, strengthening the Fund’s capital planning capabilities as it supports projects across the energy spectrum.
With a 50-year history, strong governance, and a high international credit rating, TAEF invests in conventional energy, energy infrastructure, and broader energy transition solutions.
By entering the onshore Panda bond market, the Arab Energy Fund reinforces its position as a trusted multilateral partner and an active, innovative participant in global capital markets.
The move signals China’s growing role as a pivotal source of capital for international energy projects and highlights the increasing financial interconnectivity between the MENA region and Asia.
