Update 13/10/2025 - Fixed broken link in the Announcements from WWDC section.
Google Ends Country-Code Domains
Google has used different web addresses in different countries. These are known as country code Top Level Domains (ccTLD). For example, in the UK, you could use “google.co.uk”, while in France you might use “google.fr”. On 15th April, Google published a brief blog indicating that these ccTLDs are being phased out over the coming months and that everyone will use “google.com”:-
https://blog.google/products/search/country-code-top-level-domains/
Google now uses other methods to determine your location so that you will still get geographically relevant results. Entering a URL such as “google.co.uk” will, once this change has been implemented, automatically be redirected to “google.com”.
Most people will probably not even notice this change and the search process will continue to work in exactly the same way.
Brian asked how this will work when using a VPN. Potentially, a VPN could make your IP address appear to relate to a different country. Whether this would confuse Google, I do not know.
New Apple Version Numbers
Originally reported by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple is simplifying(?) their software numbering system based on the year. The current version of iPhone software is iOS18, so the next version, expected to be released this autumn, would have been iOS19, but it will now be iOS26. The year number is the one following its release, based on the fact that it will be current for 9 or 10 months of 2026, but only 1 or 2 months of 2025.
All Apple’s operating system software will follow this pattern. The current versions are iOS18, iPadOS18, macOS15, tvOS18, watchOS10 and visionOS2. So the next versions will be iOS26, iPadOS26, macOS26, tvOS26, watchOS26 and visionOS26.
The original Bloomberg article is behind a pay-wall, but you can read this report in Ars Technica for more:-
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/05/report-apple-will-jump-straight-to-ios-26-in-shift-to-year-based-version-numbers/
Scams and Fraud
Online scams and fraud are a constantly recurring theme which we have discussed many times. The government have collected a lot of information together on protecting yourself from fraud and how to spot and report scams which you can find at:-
https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/
This site reminds you that:-
- You can report suspicious emails by forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk.
- You can report suspicious phone calls and text messages to 7726 (spells “SPAM” on your key pad) – see the above site for more details.
- It also has details on reporting fake online ads, fake websites and suspicious items received by post.
- You can call 159 to securely contact your bank.
We had some discussion on distinguishing scam text/calls from genuine ones. Another site which we have mentioned in the past is:-
https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/
This site is run by UK Finance, the trade body representing many UK banks and financial institutions. It has a test you can try to see if you can spot the scam messages. Scroll down to the heading "Are You Scam-Savvy?" and click on the Let's Go button to run the test.
Dave raised the issue that putting the phone down on a landline did not always disconnect the line, so if you immediately tried to dial out, you could still be connected to the original call. I am not sure this is still true, but it would be wise to call another known number first (a friend or relative, say) just to check. This issue does not affect mobiles.
Vodafone Three
As I am sure you know, there were 4 mobile network operators in the UK:-
- EE (owned by BT)
- 02/Virgin Mobile
- Vodafone, and
- Three
After a process taking about 2 years, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has finally approved a merger between Vodafone and Three which was completed on 31st May this year. The new company will be called VodafoneThree – a very inventive name! They now have to start the process of combining their physical networks to form, what will probably be, the largest 5G network in the UK. See articles like this one from The Register for more information:-
https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/02/vodafone_three_complete_merger/
We discussed what impact this might have on the smaller operators - Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) - such as Lebara, Smarty, etc. This article from Which? has a section on this which indicates that there was a requirement to offer pre-set price deals to these smaller operators for 3 years:-
https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/vodafone-three-merger-what-you-need-to-know-akikb9q10IRI
Announcements from WWDC
In addition to confirming the new version numbering system (see above), Apple will introduce a new interface style which they are calling Liquid Glass, which will make menus translucent and they are being redesigned.
IPadOS26 will improve its multitasking features allowing windows to be more easily resized. If you enable windowing on your iPad and add a (Bluetooth) keyboard and mouse, you have something that could be used more like a laptop. See this article by Paul Thurrott who has reviewed a beta release of iPadOS26:-
https://www.thurrott.com/apple/321978/hands-on-with-ipados-26-they-finally-really-did-it?
They are working on an improved (AI-based) version of Siri. Some changes are happening in the ‘26’ version, but other things will not appear until next year.
A new Call Screening function is being added to the Phone app which can answer an incoming call and ask the caller for details (name, purpose of call) – these details will appear as text on your screen so you can decide whether to take the call.
The iOS26 update will be available on most iPhones from the iPhone 11 onwards. Linda asked if the SE would be supported. This site on Tom's Guide lists all the phones that will support iOS26 and the iPhone SE (both 2020 and 2022 models) are included:-
https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/ios-26-supported-devices-heres-the-iphones-that-do-and-dont-make-the-cut
You can get a lot more detail here from Tom’s Guide:-
https://www.tomsguide.com/news/live/wwdc-2025
A New Gadget from Sir Jony Ive
Jony Ive worked for Apple, working closely with Steve Jobs, and is generally credited with playing a key role in the design of many of their successful products, including the iPod, iPad, iPhone, iMac and Apple Watch before leaving the company in 2019. He received a Knighthood in 2012 for services to design and enterprise.
For the last year or two, Ive has been working with OpenAI, run by Sam Altman, on the development of a mysterious new hardware device. It is described as a “third core” device after your computer and mobile devices. Last month, OpenAI purchased Ive’s company called “io” for $6.4bn.
Ive seems to be concerned by some of the negative effects of the things he has designed, such as the iPhone, and wants to produce something that will be better for humanity. We will have to wait and see what this new product is and what it does.
This recent article from The Verge has more:-
https://www.theverge.com/news/677921/jony-ive-openai-laurene-powell-jobs-interview
Over the last year or so, there have been other attempts at producing “AI hardware products”, such as the Humane AI Pin and the Rabbit R1. These products just haven’t taken off. Judging by these comments from Jony Ive, reported in The Verge, he intends to do something different:-
https://www.theverge.com/news/671955/jony-ive-rabbit-r1-humane-ai-pin
Passwords on iPhone
Linda was trying to find where her passwords are stored on her iPhone. John described how to find passwords both in the Passwords app and by typing "passwords" into the search box in Settings. After the meeting I found this Apple Support page on this subject:-
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/104955
Skype/Teams Dialling
John asked about continuing to use the Skype Dialling function now that it has transferred to Teams. I think you can continue to use existing Skype Credits to make calls, but no new credit can be added. After the meeting I found the Microsoft Support page on the topic:-
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/skype/skype-is-retiring-in-may-2025-what-you-need-to-know-2a7d2501-427f-485e-8be0-2068a9f90472
Also after the meeting Dave passed some information on possible Skype dialling alternatives to John including Viber:-
https://www.viber.com/en/
and Zoom:-
https://zoom.us/pricing/zoom-phone
although Dave does not have personal experience with either of these products.
Next Session
Wed 9th July at 2pm by Zoom
