This week on AI: Glimpses at Apple's plans for new iPhones, iPads, VR & more

By Roger Fingas

This week saw teases about the plans for next-gen iPhones and iPads, as well as Apple Pay, cross-platform services, and even virtual reality. Apple was also hit with a massive penalty in the VirnetX patent case however, and saw Alphabet overtake it as the world's most valuable company -- at least temporarily.

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A roundup of all of our hottest stories this week:

'iPhone 7' to return to flat back without visible antenna bands - reportSony says dual-lens camera tech launching with 'major smartphone players' in next yearApple has become a regular at Stanford University's VR labAlleged 'iPad Air 3' case suggests Smart Connector coming to Apple's 9.7-inch tabletGoogle surpasses Apple as world's most valuable companyApple ordered to pay $625M in revived VirnetX patent trialApple CEO hints at more cross-platform services, says iPad revenue will rebound by year's endApple Pay accepted at more than 2M locations, coming to Chik-fil-A, other stores soonApple Stores reportedly stall growth at top US shopping mallsJapan Apple Stores roll out iPhone screen protector installation serviceApple acknowledges 'Error 53' glitch, says it's part of Touch ID security