News

Everything Apple Announced At Yesterday’s iPhone 15 Event

Most of the circulating rumors proved accurate, but despite any major surprises, the new iPhone lineup still looks stunning.

Published

3 years ago

September 13, 2023

Nour Nasir

everything apple announced at yesterday's iphone 15 event

Yesterday, Apple held its yearly iPhone event, where the Cupertino company revealed four new smartphones, along with updates to its line of Apple Watches and a new version of iOS.

Most of the rumors about these hotly anticipated devices proved to be accurate, with upgrades ranging from USB-C ports to titanium frames. Let’s check them out:

The iPhone 15 & 15 Plus

Like the iPhone 14, the base model of Apple’s smartphone comes in two screen sizes: a standard 6.1-inch version and a larger 6.7-inch plus model.

Broadly speaking, the base iPhones are now comparable to last year’s Pro models, with improved cameras, better performance, and the novel Dynamic Island that does away with the dreaded notch.

However, the handsets now sport USB-C ports, along with a slightly tweaked chassis featuring rounded edges that look a little like those of the Apple Watch. In addition, color options have been changed for this model, which now ships in blue, green, yellow, pink, and black.

The iPhone 15 starts at $799, while the Plus starts at $899.

iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max

For the Pro versions of the iPhone 15, Apple chose to use titanium for the chassis, resulting in a lighter handset that comes in natural, blue, white, and black metallic hues. The screen now sports a smaller bezel, while the frosted glass back remains.

The two Pro handsets have 48-megapixel cameras with larger sensors for improved low-light photography. In addition, the 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera remains but is now joined by a game-changing 5x optical zoom on the Pro Max. Last but not least, the Pro model cameras gain the ability to record spatial video that can be viewed on Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro headset.

One final feature worth noting is that both Pro iPhones have ditched the mute button and replaced it with an “Action Button”, which is customizable via the Shortcuts app.

The iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999, while the Pro Max starts at $1,199.

iOS 17

Apple gave few details about updates to its mobile operating system but did announce that iOS 17 would arrive on Monday, September 18, presumably to tie in with the iPhone 15.

Apple Watches

Both Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra smartwatches received an update, too. The series 9 is now carbon neutral, comes in new colorways, and sports a touch-free feature called double tap. Meanwhile, the premium Ultra watch has an upgraded processor, improved battery life, and more accurate health readings.

News

Syria Just Got Its First Super App Featuring Built-In Digital Payments

Built by UAE-based Syrian founders with the Ministry of Tourism’s backing, My Syria lands as visitor numbers more than double.

Published

5 days ago

August 1, 2026

Nour Nasir

syria just got its first super app featuring built-in digital payments

For most of the past decade, paying for anything in Syria with an international card was effectively impossible. Sanctions, a collapsed banking sector, and years of isolation left the country running on cash. That is what makes the launch of My Syria — the country’s first super app — more than a routine product announcement.

Developed by 121 Living, a company founded by four UAE-based Syrian entrepreneurs — Rami Kaiem, Feras Kaiem, Waseem Qudmani, and Kinan Madi — the app launched in Damascus on July 30 under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani. It bundles hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, food delivery, and other lifestyle services into a single platform, currently offering eight services with plans to expand to more than 40 verified tourism and hospitality providers across the country.

Although the app already sounds enticing, the headline feature is its built-in payments. My Syria is the first platform in Syria to support cross-border digital payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — familiar tools for international visitors, and a route into the digital economy for local businesses that have long operated outside it.

my syria super app launch event

The launch rides on a sharp rebound for the troubled country. Syria’s tourism sector recorded 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 111 percent increase over the 1.67 million during the same period in 2025 — a mix of returning expatriates, regional visitors, and international tourists.

Also Read: This UAE Platform Wants To Replace Fashion Photo Shoots With AI

The Ministry of Tourism, which supported and supervised the app’s development, frames the launch as proof of concept for a wider strategy. “Digital transformation is one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities because it enables us to build a more competitive, connected and investment-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said, inviting technology companies “globally, regionally and locally” to explore opportunities across the wider economy.

For 121 Living, this is phase one, with additional services and expanded geographic coverage planned. Whether a super app can flourish in a market still rebuilding its infrastructure is an open question, but for the first time in years, a visitor to Damascus can pay for dinner with their phone.