Frustrated when Dictation fails to capitalize proper nouns or substitutes a contact’s name for a common word? Adam Engst shares a clever workaround using fake Contacts entries—and even zero-width Unicode spaces—to train Dictation across all your Apple devices. Last week brought us OS 26.5, which primarily gives iPhone users end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging for secure texting with Android users. Apple also extended a notification privacy fix to older iOS and iPadOS versions, addressing a bug that caused notifications to persist even after they were deleted. We link to coverage of Apple’s $250 million settlement over the delayed “more personalized” Siri, which could net eligible iPhone buyers $25–$95 per device. Notable Mac app releases this week include Bookends 15.4, ChronoSync 12.0.2, Microsoft Office for Mac 16.109, Safari 26.5, and Unite Pro 1.4.
If your iPhone or iPad is too old to run iOS 18 or later, Apple hasn’t forgotten you—new updates for iOS and iPadOS 15, iOS and iPadOS 16, and iPadOS 17 patch the notification retention flaw that could expose deleted messages.
The OS 26.5 updates bring end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging to iPhones, a Pride Luminance wallpaper and watch face, and Suggested Places recommendations in Maps. Otherwise, expect a few bug fixes and numerous security updates.
Does Dictation substitute a contact’s name for a common word, fail to capitalize proper nouns, or mangle unusual spellings? You can fix these frustrations by adding—or subtly editing—entries in Contacts.
Watchlist
Brings improved integration with Microsoft Word and Apple Intelligence to the reference management tool. ($74.99 new, free update, 130.4 MB, macOS 11+)
Maintenance update with a couple of enhancements for the synchronization and backup tool. ($49.99 new, free update, 102.7 MB, macOS 10.14+)
Updates PowerPoint with Copilot Chat and Outlook with a few enhancements. ($179.99 new for one-time purchase, $99.99/$129.99 annual subscription options, free update, macOS 13+)
Patches security vulnerabilities for users of macOS 15 Sequoia and macOS 14 Sonoma. (Free, various sizes, macOS 14+)
Brings expanded media key support and improved ChatGPT performance to the site-specific browser. ($39.99 new, free update, 34.3 MB, macOS 15+)
