This week on AI: New MacBook Pro rumors, Apple's answer to Echo, Apple Car charging & more

By Roger Fingas

While "iPhone 7" rumors continued to fly fast and furious, some of this week's biggest news actually surrounded the company's MacBook plans, as well as a possible Siri-based competitor to Amazon's Echo speaker.

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A roundup of all of our hottest stories this week:

Touch ID, OLED touch bar to highlight thinner MacBook Pro models in Q4New 13" MacBook to launch in Q3, end development of MacBook Air insider saysApple looks to debut Siri SDK at WWDC, developing Amazon Echo competitorApple working on charging infrastructure for electric cars - reportCongress won't consider mandatory encryption bill after Apple battle - reportNew photo purports to show 'iPhone 7' shell with single, raised rear camera openingApple's Siri-based Echo competitor could come with facial recognition camera, ship in 2017Apple brings back crypto whiz Jon Callas as encryption battles heat upIndian finance minister shoots down prospect of local Apple Stores - reportApple supplier Foxconn replaces 60,000 workers with robotsUpdated Apple TV may form foundation of Siri-based Amazon Echo competitor - reportAirPort Extreme, Time Capsule pulled from U.S. Apple StoresApple eyes Apple Pay expansion into Asia and Europe, looks to roll out in 'every significant market'