{
  "id": 3021724,
  "title": "Apple Store App Rolling Out 'Early Preview' of New Shopping Assistant",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/apple-store-app-rolling-out-early-preview-of-new-shopping-assistant",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-24T12:56:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MacRumors",
    "slug": "macrumors",
    "url": "https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-store-app-virtual-shopping-assistant/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple has quietly rolled out an early preview of a new AI-powered virtual shopping assistant within its iPhone's Apple Store app. Users can access the chatbot by tapping on the speech bubble featuring two sparkles located at the bottom-right corner of the application. The assistant is capable of addressing inquiries about Apple products, existing Apple Store orders, trade-in values, payment options, and more. Alternatively, users can tap on one of the common topics displayed on the page to initiate a conversation.\n\nAccording to MacRumors, which was the first to report this development, the AI shopping assistant is based on a new privacy policy disclosed on Apple's website. The policy indicates that Apple utilizes personal information to tailor the chat experience, offer pertinent responses, and enhance the assistant through user opt-in feedback. However, Apple has not yet officially announced this feature, suggesting that it is currently being tested with a limited number of users.\n\nMany of the outlet's staff members have not gained access to the chatbot, so those who have not encountered it should not be alarmed; they are not alone in this regard.",
  "summary": "In the Apple Store app on the iPhone, select users have received access to an \"early preview\" of a new AI-powered virtual shopping assistant. Once it is available, you can open the chatbot by tapping on the speech bubble with two sparkles in the bottom-right corner of the app. Then, you can ask questions about Apple products, your existing Apple Store orders, trade-in values, payment options, and…",
  "key_points": [
    "Apple tests AI-powered shopping assistant in iPhone's Apple Store app",
    "Users can access assistant via speech bubble with sparkles",
    "Assistant handles product inquiries, orders, trade-in values"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "AppleInsider",
        "title": "AI assistant is rolling out to the Apple Store app on iOS",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/ai-assistant-is-rolling-out-to-the-apple-store-app-on-ios",
        "published": "2026-08-24T13:39:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Mac",
        "title": "Apple starts testing AI shopping assistant in the Apple Store app",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/apple-starts-testing-ai-shopping-assistant-in-the-apple-store-app",
        "published": "2026-08-24T14:07:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}