Digimasters Shorts - Apple's Thickest iPhone 17 Pro Max, Prime Day Apple Discounts, Google's AI Search Hits India, AI-Designed Cancer Drugs by DeepMind Spinout, ChatGPT's Controversial Study Together Mode

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, your quick source for the latest updates from the digital world. Join hosts Adam Nagus and Carly Wilson as they dive into fresh scoops on upcoming Apple devices, Prime Day deals, advancements in AI search and drug discovery, and new features in ChatGPT. Whether it's a rumored thicker iPhone 17 or groundbreaking AI developments, we keep you informed with concise, timely insights. Tune in for your daily dose of tech news and digital trends in bite-sized episodes.

Transcript

Adam N2: 0:05

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, we are your hosts Adam Nagus

Carly W: 0:09

and Carly Wilson delivering the latest scoop from the digital realm. New reports indicate that the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max will be the thickest iPhone ever, increasing in thickness from 8.25mm to 8.725mm. This change is reportedly designed to accommodate a larger battery, addressing long-standing demands from users for better battery life. While the thicker design may not appeal to fans of smaller, more compact phones, the trade-off aims to ensure extended usage time. Leaks from a trusted Weibo source suggest that battery improvements are the primary reason behind the increased bulk. Meanwhile, rumors about an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air suggest that Apple may offer a lighter, slimmer option at the expense of battery capacity. This design strategy could provide consumers with a choice between battery endurance and portability. The iPhone 17 lineup is shaping up to be one of Apple's biggest design shifts in years, coinciding with a new iOS design unveiled recently. Industry experts view this as Apple's effort to innovate and differentiate its products significantly in 2025. Fans and critics alike are eagerly awaiting official details to see how these changes will impact the user experience. The coming months will reveal how Apple balances performance, design, and user preferences in the new iPhone series.

Adam N2: 1:28

Prime Day has arrived, offering substantial discounts on a range of Apple products. The Apple Watch Series 10 is available for$299 on Amazon, while the AirPods 4 can be purchased for just$99. The latest iPad Mini 7 enjoys a$100 price cut, boasting a portable design and long battery life. Apple’s 2025 iPad models feature upgraded displays, A16 or M3 processors, and improved camera capabilities. The new AirPods 4 deliver enhanced comfort, U.SB-C charging, and up to 30 hours of listening time, with an even cheaper option including Active Noise Cancellation. Premium devices like the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max also have notable features like advanced noise cancellation and spatial audio. MacBook models featuring Apple’s M4 chip, including the Air and Pro, offer improved performance and display quality. The Mac mini and iMac with M4 chips also see discounts, providing powerful options for desktop users. Fitness-oriented earbuds like the Powerbeats Pro and Beats Studio Pro are discounted as well. Overall, this is an ideal moment for consumers to upgrade Apple devices at reduced prices during Prime Day sales. Google is expanding its AI Mode search experience to India, following its initial launch in the U.S earlier this year. The feature, powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5, uses advanced AI to break down queries into subtopics and source answers from a variety of real-time data, including the Knowledge Graph and shopping information. Users can enter longer text prompts, voice inputs, and images via Google Lens, enhancing the search experience with multimodal capabilities. AI Mode delivers more sophisticated reasoning and detailed responses compared to Google's previous AI offerings. Since its debut in India through a Labs experiment, the feedback has been positive, with users appreciating its speed and quality. The mode supports follow-up questions, enabling deeper exploration and understanding. It can be accessed through a new shortcut in the Google Search bar or online for a seamless experience. The AI Mode also appears as a filter alongside traditional search options like Images and News. This launch marks the first international rollout of Google's enhanced AI search after its U.S debut at I/O 2025. Indian users can now sign up to try AI Mode in English, expecting it to be widely available soon.

Carly W: 3:54

Isomorphic Labs, a London-based AI drug company spun out of Google DeepMind, is preparing to begin human clinical trials of AI-designed drugs. The company uses DeepMind’s AlphaFold3, an AI system that predicts protein structures and interactions, to accelerate drug discovery. This approach aims to revolutionize medicine by designing drugs rapidly and efficiently for a wide range of diseases. AlphaFold’s technology earned a Nobel Prize in chemistry, marking a breakthrough in understanding molecular biology. Isomorphic Labs' president, Colin Murdoch, confirmed they are collaborating on AI-designed cancer drugs and hiring for upcoming trials. DeepMind's C.E.O Demis Hassabis explained that AlphaFold3 enables precise design of compounds that bind to proteins, a crucial step in drug creation. While AlphaFold3 models drug interactions, additional AI systems predict toxicity and drug compatibility before lab testing. This milestone represents a significant step toward merging AI technology with traditional pharmaceutical development. Isomorphic Labs’ long-term goal is to create a general AI-driven drug design engine that can tackle multiple diseases. The company has not yet disclosed which cancers the first AI-designed drugs will target. Some Chat G.P.T subscribers have noticed a new feature called"Study Together" appearing in their tool options. This mode aims to enhance Chat G.P.T's role as an educational assistant by asking questions and requiring users to respond, rather than just providing answers. It is seen as a potential counterpart to Google's LearnLM. There is speculation about a future study group mode allowing multiple users to join the chat simultaneously. Open A.I has not officially commented on the feature or its availability, and Chat G.P.T itself indicated that no announcements have been made regarding broad access or Chat G.P.T Plus requirements. Chat G.P.T has become widely used in education, supporting lesson planning and tutoring while also raising concerns about academic dishonesty. Some critics worry that the tool may undermine higher education by enabling cheating. The Study Together feature could represent an effort to promote responsible use and reduce misuse. Its introduction highlights ongoing tensions in A.I's role within education. As users and educators adapt, the feature may shape how AI tools support learning going forward.

Don: 6:17

Thank you for listening to today's AI and Tech News podcast summary... Please do leave us a comment and for additional feedback, please email us at podcast@digimasters.co.uk You can now follow us on Instagram and Threads by searching for@DigimastersShorts or Search for Digimasters on Linkedin. Be sure to tune in tomorrow and don't forget to follow or subscribe!