iPhone 17 Design May Be Drastically Different, ChatGPT Removes Content Warnings, and See-Through Aluminum Breakthrough

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In this episode of 'Discover Daily', we begin with rumors about Apple's iPhone 17 lineup. Recent leaks suggest the phones will have a dramatic redesign, featuring a  horizontal camera bar across all models and introducing the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. The Pro Max variant may also have a cutting-edge metalens technology that could transform the iconic Dynamic Island, potentially setting new standards for smartphone design.

OpenAI's latest update to ChatGPT marks a significant shift in AI interaction, removing restrictive warning messages while maintaining essential safety protocols. This change, championed by product head Nick Turley, allows for more natural conversations around complex topics like mental health and fiction, addressing long-standing concerns about the platform's limitations while ensuring responsible AI usage.

The final story features an innovative breakthrough from Filipino scientists at Ateneo de Manila University, who have developed a cost-effective method to create transparent aluminum oxide. This remarkable achievement uses simple microdroplets of acid and minimal electricity, potentially revolutionizing industries from electronics to solar energy. While experts remain cautiously optimistic about scaling challenges, this development could transform everything from smartphone screens to building materials, showcasing how innovative thinking can solve complex engineering challenges.

From Perplexity's Discover Feed:

https://www.perplexity.ai/page/iphone-17-design-may-be-drasti-oylUbPVXRh.42WcTn.8bpg 

https://www.perplexity.ai/page/chatgpt-removes-content-warnin-IJNbBZ5OTT2aLK9HSoW84g 

https://www.perplexity.ai/page/see-through-aluminum-breakthro-ahsOUUCvQfCTByCO5ylvSA 

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https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/blog/introducing-perplexity-deep-research 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Discover Daily by Perplexity, an
AI-generated show on tech,science and culture.
I'm Isaac.
Today we're exploring afascinating development in
materials science that couldchange how we think about
aluminum.
But first let's look at whatelse is happening.
Our first story today is aboutthe iPhone 17, which might be

(00:27):
getting a major design overhaul.
According to recent leaksreported by Apple Insider, apple
is set to introduce significantchanges to its iPhone 17 lineup
, potentially reshaping theiconic device's aesthetics.
The most notable change isexpected to be in the camera
design.
All models in the iPhone 17lineup are rumored to feature a

(00:48):
horizontal bar-shaped cameralayout.
For the ultra-thin iPhone 17Air, this might manifest as an
elongated camera bump housing asingle rear camera with the
microphone and LED flashrelocated to the right side of
the bar.
The Pro models may adopt a moreexpansive version of this
horizontal matrix, with a largerbar spanning the entire width

(01:11):
of the device's back.
If these rumors prove to betrue, the new design will
represent a significantdeparture from the current
vertical camera arrangement,suggesting Apple's continued
evolution in both form andfunction.
Suggesting Apple's continuedevolution in both form and
function.
Industry analysts speculatethis change could allow for
improved optical performancewhile maintaining the device's

(01:32):
slim profile.
The horizontal bar design mightalso provide better stability
when the phone is placed on flatsurfaces, addressing a common
complaint about current models.
These changes are expected tobe unveiled in September,
marking the most substantialupdate to iPhone aesthetics in
recent years.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is alsorumored to introduce some new

(01:53):
display technology.
This may include a new metallens for Face ID that will
integrate the transmitter andreceiver components,
significantly reducing the sizeof the dynamic island Again.
If true, this advancement couldpave the way for even more
screen real estate, whilemaintaining the security
features users have come to relyon.

(02:14):
Moving on to our second story,openai has made some changes to
its popular AI chatbot, chatgpt.
The company has removed certaincontent warning messages from
the platform in an effort toenhance user experience, while
maintaining essential safetymeasures.
This update implemented inFebruary 2025, eliminates
orange-box warning messages thatpreviously indicated potential

(02:37):
terms of service violations.
According to the company, thechange allows for more natural
conversations, particularlyaround nuanced subjects like
mental health and fictionalcontent, which often triggered
unnecessary warnings.
Nick Turley, the head ofproduct for ChatGPT, emphasized
that users should be able toquote "use ChatGPT as they see

(02:58):
fit, within legal and ethicalboundaries".
This update addresses criticismfrom prominent figures who
claimed the platform was overlyrestrictive and biased.
The removal has led to severalnotable impacts Users are
experiencing fewer interruptionsin conversations, and
discussions on previouslyflagged topics can now proceed
more naturally.
According to some, the chatbotfeels more intuitive and less

(03:22):
restrictive, encouraging morenuanced and meaningful
interactions.
Despite the removal, openaimaintains that it has robust
safety measures to ensureresponsible AI usage.
The chatbot continues to refuseobjectionable questions and
prohibits responses supportingblatant falsehoods.
According to the company, coresafety protocols remain in place

(03:44):
to protect against harmfulcontent.
Now let's dive into our mainstory of the day, which brings
us an exciting development inmaterials science.
Filipino scientists from Ateneode Manila University have

(04:07):
developed a cost-effectivemethod to create transparent
aluminum oxide usingmicro-droplets of acid and
minimal electricity.
This breakthrough could haveapplications in electronics,
solar energy and protectivecoatings.
The researchers, incollaboration with the NARA
Institute of Science andTechnology, achieved this feat

(04:29):
using a novel, low-cost methodcalled droplet-scale anodization
.
This process involves applyingmicro droplets of acidic
solution to ordinary aluminumsurfaces and passing a minimal
electric current of just 2 volts, barely more than what's found
in a typical AA battery.
The innovation transformsregular aluminum into a

(04:50):
glass-like, transparent material, bringing to life a concept
previously relegated to sciencefiction.
The process relies on theelectrowetting effect, where an
electric field alters theproperties of liquid droplets on
the aluminum surface.
The technique allowsresearchers to precisely control
the anodization, making itsignificantly simpler than

(05:10):
traditional methods.
It's extremely simple andcost-effective.
The method eliminates the needfor expensive equipment like
high-powered lasers, vacuumchambers or large vats of
dangerous acids, which aretypically required in
conventional transparentaluminum oxide production.
The process is alsoenvironmentally friendly,
minimizing chemical waste andenergy consumption.

(05:34):
While the potential applicationsare promising, some experts
maintain a cautiously optimisticoutlook.
Dr Sarah Chen, a materialsscientist at MIT, notes that
scaling this technology fromlaboratory success to industrial
production could presentsignificant challenges.
Still, the possibilities areintriguing.
It could be used intouchscreens and optical sensors

(05:57):
for enhanced durability andperformance, ultra-durable
vehicle coatings to protectagainst wear and environmental
damage, and even in solar panelsto improve efficiency and
longevity.
The material could also findapplications in miniaturized
electronics and as protectivecoatings for buildings to
increase resilience againstharsh weather conditions.
By approaching the challenge ofcreating transparent aluminum

(06:21):
from a new angle, theseresearchers have not only
achieved their goal, but havedone so in a way that's more
accessible and potentiallyscalable for various industries.
That's it for today.
Thanks for tuning in.

(06:42):
Don't forget to subscribe onyour favorite platform For more
info on anything we coveredtoday.
Check out the links in ourepisode description.
And don't forget you can nowaccess Perplexity's AI-powered
knowledge base on the go withthe mobile app, available for
both Android and iOS.
There's also the Perplexitydesktop app for macOS.

(07:04):
In other Perplexity news, thecompany just launched Deep
Research, a powerful new featurethat digs deep into hundreds of
sources to create thoroughresearch reports.
The tool, which is free to tryand unlimited for pro users, can
tackle complex researchquestions in just minutes.
Early tests show it'sremarkably accurate, making it a

(07:27):
promising tool for anyoneneeding in-depth research
assistance.
We'll be back with more storiesthat matter.
Until then, stay curious.