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iPhone 17e Tipped to Begin Mass Production Soon, Featuring 6.1-Inch Display and Dynamic Island

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Apple’s iPhone 16e made its debut in February last year, but early details about its successor have already started circulating online. According to a new leak shared on Chinese social media platform Weibo, Apple is preparing to move the iPhone 17e into mass production in the near future. The upcoming model is expected to continue Apple’s push in the more affordable iPhone segment.

One of the most notable changes tipped for the iPhone 17e is a refreshed front design. The device is said to feature Apple’s Dynamic Island, replacing the traditional notch seen on the iPhone 16e. This shift would align the budget-focused iPhone more closely with Apple’s premium lineup in terms of design language.

The leak also suggests that the iPhone 17e will retain a 6.1-inch display, matching the screen size of its predecessor. While the panel size remains unchanged, it is reportedly expected to keep the same 60Hz refresh rate, indicating that Apple may prioritize design refinement over display performance upgrades in this model.

According to tipster Smart Pikachu, Apple could begin mass production of the iPhone 17e shortly after CES 2026, which takes place from January 6 to January 9 in Las Vegas. The handset is reportedly being positioned to compete with so-called “lower-priced flagship” smartphones, offering a balance between modern design features and a more accessible price point.

Gemini AI Set to Make Google Maps a Conversational Travel Companion

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Google Maps is being reimagined with the help of Gemini, Google’s flagship artificial intelligence system, transforming the navigation app into a more conversational and interactive companion for drivers.

The new design, announced Wednesday, integrates Gemini’s generative AI to create a hands-free experience that allows users to ask for directions, recommendations, and insights naturally — as if speaking to a knowledgeable passenger. Instead of relying solely on distances and street names, the upgraded app will reference landmarks to make navigation more intuitive.

“No fumbling required — now you can just ask,” Google said in a blog post unveiling the redesign. The company emphasized that Gemini’s new conversational features will help users discover restaurants, shops, and attractions on the go while keeping their focus on the road.

Google said it has implemented safeguards to prevent AI “hallucinations” — instances where chatbots generate incorrect information — to ensure accurate and reliable guidance. The data powering Gemini’s responses will come from Google Maps’ extensive database of more than 250 million places built up over two decades of user reviews.

The AI-powered Maps update will roll out soon to both iPhone and Android devices, reaching Google’s global user base of over 2 billion people. By embedding Gemini directly into Maps, Google aims to demonstrate the real-world utility of its AI technology and strengthen its position against rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

This move continues Google’s broader AI transformation, which has already reshaped its search engine to prioritize conversational results over traditional web links.

Apple to Integrate Google’s Gemini AI Model to Power New Siri, Bloomberg Reports

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Apple plans to use Google’s massive 1.2 trillion-parameter Gemini AI model to power the next generation of its Siri voice assistant, according to a Bloomberg report published Wednesday. The deal, expected to be finalized soon, would see Apple pay roughly $1 billion annually for access to Google’s advanced AI technology.

The partnership marks a major step in Apple’s artificial intelligence ambitions, as it seeks to close the gap with rivals like Microsoft and OpenAI in generative AI. The Gemini model — one of the world’s most powerful — is set to serve as a temporary solution while Apple continues developing its own large-scale AI systems.

Bloomberg reported that the Gemini integration would enable Siri to handle more complex queries, offer improved conversational capabilities, and process natural language more fluidly than before. Apple’s current in-house models are far smaller in scale and capability compared with Google’s.

Neither Apple nor Alphabet has commented on the report. The collaboration underscores the growing trend among major tech firms to partner on AI development, even as they compete fiercely in the space.

Apple’s use of a Google-built AI model mirrors its long-standing partnership with the search giant, whose engine already powers Safari search functions on iPhones — another deal worth billions annually.