Technologies

Your iPhone’s Maps App Could Get Ads With iOS 26.5

The upcoming iOS update could also bring end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging to your device.

Apple released the second public beta of iOS 26.5 on Tuesday, about three weeks after the company released the massive iOS 26.4 update, which included new emoji, video podcasts and more. The iOS 26.5 beta brings a few smaller — but significant — changes to the iPhones of developers and beta testers, including a screen in Maps heralding ads in the app and end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging.

Because this is a beta, I recommend downloading it only on something other than your primary device. This isn’t the final version of iOS 26.5, so the update might be buggy and battery life may be shortened, so it’s best to keep those troubles on a secondary device.

Also, since this isn’t the final version of iOS 26.5, Apple could add more features to the update before it arrives on your iPhone.

Here are some features developers and beta testers can try now, and what could land on your iPhone when Apple releases iOS 26.5.

Ads could arrive in Maps soon

If you open your Maps app after downloading the iOS 26.5 beta, you’ll see a new splash screen that announces the arrival of ads in the app.

«Maps may show local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or view of the map while you search,» Apple says. «For your privacy, advertising information is not linked to your Apple Account.»

Apple announced Apple Business in March, allowing companies to connect with customers via some of Apple’s first-party apps, such as Mail and Wallet. Apple Business also lets companies place local ads in Maps. So you could start seeing ads in Maps for the coffee shop down the street from your home.

Suggested Places in Maps

The iOS 26.5 beta also brings a new section called Suggested Places to your Maps app. Once in the app, tap your Search bar like you’re going to look up a nearby cafe or restaurant, and the section Suggested Places will appear below Recents.

End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging returns

The iOS 26.5 beta brings back an option to enable end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on your device. When Apple brought RCS messaging to iPhones with iOS 18, one feature the messaging protocol was missing was end-to-end encryption, and iOS 26.5 could finally bring this privacy protection to your iPhone.

To find this setting, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging and tap the slider next to End-to-End Encryption (Beta).

Apple writes in the feature’s description that it’s still in beta, and it works only on certain carriers and devices. Apple also writes that these encrypted messages will be labeled as such, so you should know when your messages do and don’t have this level of protection.

Apple included end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta versions of iOS 26.4, but the tech giant didn’t include the feature in the final release.

Those are a few of the new features developers and public beta testers can try now with the second public beta of iOS 26.5. There will likely be more betas before the OS is released to the public, so there’s plenty of time for Apple to change these features and add others. Apple has not said when it will release iOS 26.5 to the general public.

For more iOS news, here’s everything you should know about iOS 26.4 and iOS 26.3. You can also check out our iOS 26 cheat sheet.

Technologies

The Fourth Episode of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Out

Verum Messenger has released the fourth episode of its AI mini-series SHADOWS, created using Verum AI. The new episode, titled “No Borders,” continues the story of a team trying to stay out of the OMEGA corporation’s sight.

Following the events of the previous episodes, the team moves between cities and countries while OMEGA continues its search. The new episode puts particular emphasis on Verum Messenger’s capabilities that allow users to conceal their location.

“No Borders” is another chapter in a story about privacy, freedom of communication, and technologies that erase borders between people.

The VERUM AI mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 4 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Watch on Instagram
Watch on YouTube