I’m hardly the world’s most organized person, but I’m usually minimally prepared if I need to call customer service for anything.
It’s a foregone conclusion that the business will ask for an order number, a purchase date, a serial number or some such — so I usually gather that data before making a call.
Apparently, that’s no longer needed.
Call Context is an AI feature in iOS 27 that surfaces stuff like that during a call to a business. It’s a super-clever feature and a huge time-saver if/when it works.
I just tried testing it myself by calling my dentist, who has been calling me trying to book an appointment. The dentist’s office has left voicemails and text messages for me, and I was hoping the Call Context feature would surface the proposed appointment times — but alas, it did not. (To be fair, it’s not clear if this is the kind of info the feature should surface.)
Nonetheless, the Call Context feature is already getting gleeful callouts for its handiness. It’s an early example of AI becoming a useful assistant that anticipates your needs, rather than just responding to them. I’m eager to see more features like it.
Also in today’s newsletter:
Do I want a touchscreen Mac? I’m not sure, tbh, but if Apple’s good at one thing, it’s showing customers what they want before they even know it.
Micron, the domestic memory manufacturer that previously blamed Apple’s supplier-squeezing tactics for today’s memory shortage, is now lobbying to stop Apple from buying Chinese memory chips. I was inclined to side with Micron, until I learned what its gross margins are.
🔥 DEAL OF THE DAY: Apple’s very nice but very pricey Crossbody Strap for iPhone is on sale: Save 19% on this convenient and hands-free way to wear iPhone. #affiliate
Big Brother, or just a handy and innocent reminder? That’s the debate around a controversial feature that may or may not be included in Apple’s smart glasses.
There’s an upper limit on blocked contacts? Who are these serial blockers?
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
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One more thing ...
You just don’t want someone else to control a big part of the user experience. People may disagree with me, but I am pretty consistent about that.
Today’s poll
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Results from last Friday’s poll:
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