iOS 26 brings Vision Pro vibes to your iPhone

Today, we’re looking at Apple’s most dramatic iPhone redesign in years: iOS 26. Apple’s betting big that visual elegance and low-friction features are the next frontier of mobile UX. We’re also looking at the unseen labor behind Google’s AI and the growing unrest around it.

In today’s post:

• Apple just dropped iOS 26

• Why Google’s AI raters are furious and out of work

• OpenAI’s Codex just got a GPT-5 brain

• Best AI tools to explore right now

What’s Trending Today

LAUNCH

iOS 26 brings Apple’s biggest visual refresh in years

Apple’s iOS 26 is now rolling out and it’s more than just a software update. From the bold new “Liquid Glass” design to smarter calls and messages, iPhones are getting a full-on glow-up.

Here’s everything you need to know:

• The new “Liquid Glass” design gives the entire UI a sleek, translucent feel inspired by Vision Pro.

• Call Screening lets unknown callers state their name and reason before you pick up.

• Messages adds group polls, chat backgrounds, and cleaner conversation flows.

• iOS now includes the Preview app, edit and sign PDFs right on your phone.

• A revamped Games app shows what you’ve played, what friends are playing, and what’s next.

• Apple Intelligence brings on-screen visual understanding, smart calendar suggestions, and Highlight (its “Circle to Search” rival).

• Live translation is now built into FaceTime, Messages, and even AirPods.

Here’s what I think:

iOS 26 isn’t about flashy AI headlines, it’s about fixing friction points. From better call handling to smarter reminders and interface clarity, it feels like Apple is solving for daily annoyances, not just chasing trends. And that’s a good thing.

How 433 Investors Unlocked 400X Return Potential

Institutional investors back startups to unlock outsized returns. Regular investors have to wait. But not anymore. Thanks to regulatory updates, some companies are doing things differently.

Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 regular people invested an average of $2,730. Today? They got a 400X buyout offer from the company, as Revolut’s valuation increased 89,900% in the same timeframe.

No wonder 10K+ everyday people are taking the chance on Pacaso.

Founded by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso’s co-ownership tech reshapes the $1.3T vacation home market. They’ve earned $110M+ in gross profit to date, including 41% YoY growth in 2024 alone. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

The same institutional investors behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay backed Pacaso. And you can join them. But not for long. Pacaso’s investment opportunity ends September 18.

Invest While You Still Can

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STRATEGY

Google contractors claim they’re being replaced by the AI they train

Over 200 contractors working on Google’s AI tools including Gemini and AI Overviews were laid off last month. They say it’s not just a downsizing. It’s retaliation.

Here’s everything you need to know:

• These workers help fine-tune Google’s AI by rewriting chatbot responses and rating outputs.

• Many hold advanced degrees and were hired for their expertise as “super raters.”

• Layoffs began after workers tried to unionize and raised concerns about pay and job security.

• Some allege they were fired after pushing for wage transparency or organizing efforts.

• Internal documents suggest their work is being used to train AI systems that could replace them.

• Pay disparities worsened when third-party contractors were brought in doing the same work for $10 less per hour.

• Workers describe increasingly robotic workflows, unrealistic productivity targets, and banned social channels.

• Two fired employees have filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board.

Here’s what I think:

If the people teaching AI how to sound human are being replaced by it, we’re not just automating tasks, we’re automating away the very labor that makes AI usable. This isn’t a tech issue. It’s a labor one. And it’s coming for more than just AI trainers.

UPGRADE

Codex can now code for 7 hours straight

OpenAI has launched a major upgrade to Codex, its AI coding agent, powered by a new GPT-5 variant. This version isn’t just smarter, it’s more patient.

Here’s everything you need to know:

• The new model, GPT-5-Codex, can dynamically decide how long to “think” from seconds to seven hours.

• It's already rolling out to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Edu, Business, and Enterprise users.

• Codex now beats GPT-5 on key benchmarks like SWE-bench Verified and large-scale code refactoring.

• Software engineers also rated it higher for submitting fewer errors and more “high-impact” code review comments.

• Unlike traditional model routers, Codex adapts mid-task, giving complex problems more time if needed.

• The upgrade comes amid heavy competition from Claude Code, Cursor, and GitHub Copilot.

• Cursor alone surpassed $500M ARR this year, showing just how hot the AI coding space has become.

The real leap here isn’t just better code, it’s better pacing. Codex can now stretch or shrink its effort like a real developer. If OpenAI can keep aligning power with precision, this might be the closest we’ve come yet to a truly useful coding partner.

AI TOOLS

AI TOOLS

• Thunderbit: Turns any website into your personal database by scraping data with zero coding - just describe what you want and it grabs it

• xTiles: Visual workspace that's like having a second brain where you can mix notes, files, and tasks on infinite boards

• Reclaim.ai: Automatically finds time in your calendar for focus work, habits, and breaks without messing up your existing meetings

• Fathom: Joins your Zoom calls and creates perfect meeting notes with unlimited free recordings and summaries

• AirOps: Build complex content workflows that can generate hundreds of blog posts, SEO metadata, and marketing copy at once

• AdCreative.ai: Creates high-converting ads using data from millions of campaigns so your ads actually perform better

• n8n: Connect and automate any apps you use without coding - like having a robot assistant that never sleeps

• Nyota: Smart meeting assistant that not only takes notes but automatically updates your CRM after every sales call.

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