Apple News
Apple Watch ECG saves triathlete’s life
A triathlete named Connor credits his Apple Watch with saving his life after its electrocardiogram (ECG) feature flagged signs of atrial fibrillation during intense training, prompting doctors to uncover a previously unknown congenital heart condition that required open-heart surgery.
In a short testimonial video released by Apple on its official YouTube channel on August 20, 2026, titled “Apple Watch ECG: Connor’s True Apple Watch Story,” Connor describes how his fitness steadily declined despite rigorous training efforts. “I was just getting less and less fit the more and more I tried,” he recounts.
During one particularly demanding triathlon, his heart rate spiked to about 219 beats per minute, a rate he rightly called “ridiculous.” Realizing he had the ECG app on his Apple Watch, he took a reading. The device indicated atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm that can increase the risk of stroke and other complications if left untreated.
Connor sought medical attention. Doctors subsequently diagnosed an underlying congenital heart condition he had no idea existed. He underwent open-heart surgery to address it. Reflecting on the outcome, he said: “Almost like I’ve got a new engine in. I can’t say enough good things about the Apple Watch, it’s amazing.”
The video, part of Apple’s ongoing series of real-user “true stories” highlighting the health and safety features of its wearable, runs about 35 seconds and focuses on Connor’s firsthand account.
Apple notes that the ECG and related heart-rate notifications on compatible models (Series 4 and later, plus Ultra models) helped surface the issue.
Apple’s ECG app, which records the heart’s electrical activity via sensors in the watch and can classify results including signs consistent with AFib, has previously been linked to similar real-world detections. The company directs viewers to more information on its heart-health features.
Connor’s story underscores how consumer wearables can serve as an early-warning system for asymptomatic or previously undetected cardiac issues, especially in active individuals who might otherwise dismiss declining performance as simple fatigue. While the Apple Watch is not a medical diagnostic device and any irregular readings should be followed up with a healthcare professional, cases like this continue to illustrate its potential role in prompting timely care.
MacDailyNews Take: Another life saved by Apple Watch!
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Your iPhone’s USB-C port to do much more than charge
USB-C, now present on every current iPhone model, opens up far more possibilities than simply topping up the battery. According to Macworld’s Mahmoud Itani, many owners still treat the connector as little more than a charging outlet, missing out on a range of practical accessories and features available on iPhone 15 and later devices.Here are a dozen useful ways to put that USB-C port to work.
1. Charge other devices
Your iPhone can supply up to 4.5 W of power through a USB-C cable, enough to top up AirPods, an Apple Watch, or even another phone. Just connect the cable between the two devices—no wireless flipping required.
2. Expand storage
When internal space runs low, plug in a compatible USB-C flash drive or external hard drive and manage files directly in the Files app. Some drives even support recording ProRes video straight to external storage on Pro models, helping conserve the phone’s memory during long shoots. Compact options such as Samsung’s Type-C flash drive are popular choices.
3. Attach a keyboard
For longer writing sessions on larger iPhone models, a wired USB-C keyboard works natively. Compact desktop keyboards or dedicated cases like the Clicks keyboard case keep a physical keyboard ready whenever you need it.
4. Improve audio capture
Content creators can connect high-quality microphones for clearer sound. Wireless systems that use the USB-C port, such as the Rode Wireless Micro, deliver professional results while remaining convenient.
5. Read SD cards
Photographers and videographers can transfer images and footage faster with a wired SD card reader. Apple’s own USB-C to SD Card Reader works with the iPhone and can also be used on a Mac or iPad.
6. Connect an external display
Mirror the iPhone’s screen to a TV or monitor via HDMI using Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. This is especially handy in places where wireless casting is blocked, and it supports 4K output.
7. Use a game controller
AAA titles run smoother with a physical controller. Wired connection of a DualSense or similar pad through USB-C can reduce latency compared with Bluetooth.
8. Add Ethernet
For the most stable, high-speed network connection (useful for large downloads or competitive gaming) a USB-C to Ethernet adapter provides a wired link when Wi-Fi or cellular is less reliable.
9. Inspect tight spaces
A USB-C endoscope or borescope camera turns the iPhone into a portable inspection tool. These flexible cameras with built-in lights reach into crevices and are available at relatively low cost.
10. Stay cool
Small USB-C powered fans that plug directly into the port offer portable airflow on hot days. Compact, high-speed models draw minimal power while delivering a noticeable breeze.
11. Protect the port
When the connector is not in use, simple USB-C dust plugs keep lint and debris out. Inexpensive multi-packs or magnetic versions that attach to the phone help prevent loss and can even serve as a one-handed grip aid.
12. Enable wired CarPlay
Older vehicles without wireless CarPlay still rely on a data-capable cable. A coiled USB-C cable of suitable length and flexibility keeps the connection tidy and reliable in the car.
Bonus: Multiply the ports
A single USB-C hub can add HDMI, Ethernet, SD card slots, USB-A ports, and more simultaneously. Models such as Plugable’s 7-in-1 multiport adapter expand the iPhone’s single port into a versatile docking solution.
MacDailyNews Take: The iPhone’s lone USB-C connector is far more versatile than many realize. With the right cables and accessories, it supports storage, productivity, media, networking, and everyday convenience far beyond basic charging.
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Garmin’s $200 Whoop rival misses the appeal of screenless trackers
Garmin has entered the booming category of screenless fitness trackers with the Cirqa Smart Band, a $200 device designed to challenge the popularity of Whoop. Announced last month and now available, the Cirqa aims to deliver continuous health and recovery monitoring without a distracting display on the wrist. Yet after extensive testing, the product reveals gaps that suggest the company has not fully grasped what makes these minimalist bands so compelling to users.
That assessment comes from Bloomberg News’ Dana Wollman, who spent two weeks evaluating the Cirqa. In her review, Wollman notes that while the hardware checks many of the expected boxes for a Whoop rival, the overall experience falls short of the deeper health insights and seamless appeal that have driven the screenless category’s rise.
Garmin’s Cirqa Smart Band
The Cirqa features a fabric strap paired with a compact electronics module that can be worn on the wrist or upper arm (with an optional arm band). It packs sensors to track sleep, stress, heart rate variability (HRV), skin temperature, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), and VO2 max. The band automatically detects exercise and supports more than 80 workout types, with a single physical button for manual starts and stops plus haptic feedback for alerts. Battery life is rated at about a week and a half (roughly 10 days in real-world use) placing it between shorter-lasting rivals like the Fitbit Air and longer-endurance options such as the Whoop.
Core metrics and insights appear in the free Garmin Connect app, covering Body Battery energy scores, training readiness, sleep stages and coaching, recovery time suggestions, and fitness age. An optional Garmin Connect+ subscription unlocks extra coaching and mapping features, but unlike Whoop’s mandatory membership model, the essentials remain accessible without ongoing fees. Water resistance reaches 50 meters, and the device can pair with a phone for GPS data during outdoor activities.
Wollman highlights that the Cirqa looks the part of a modern screenless tracker and performs solidly on basic vitals and auto-detection. However, she concludes it does not match Whoop’s level of refined health insights or the understated, almost invisible appeal that defines the best devices in this space. The module can feel somewhat bulky under the strap, strap options remain limited, and the experience retains a more traditional Garmin character rather than the frictionless, recovery-first focus that has made pure screenless bands popular.
Other independent tests largely align with this mixed picture. Reviewers praise the accurate heart-rate tracking (using Garmin’s Gen 4 optical sensor), detailed sleep reports, comfortable all-day and overnight wear once the fabric softens, and the absence of a required subscription. At the same time, they note the larger module stands out more than sleeker competitors, moisture retention in the strap, and the need for a paired phone for full location data. Overall, the Cirqa sits as a capable middle-ground option—more advanced than entry-level screenless bands yet not quite as polished or insightful as the category leaders.
The timing of Garmin’s entry is notable. Screenless fitness wearables have gained significant traction as users seek distraction-free tracking that prioritizes long-term recovery data over constant notifications and glanceable stats. Devices from Whoop, Google’s Fitbit Air, and others have carved out a distinct niche within a broader wearable market that has otherwise softened.
Apple is reportedly exploring the same territory. According to recent reporting, the company’s industrial design team has been evaluating a screen-free fitness band as part of a broader rethink of the Apple Watch lineup. The concept would compete directly with Whoop-style trackers and could emphasize continuous health monitoring without a display. While still in early stages and unlikely to appear in the near term—possibly 2027 or later if pursued, the interest underscores how seriously major players view the shift toward minimalist, always-on recovery tools.
MacDailyNews Take: As Wollman writes, matching the smartband hardware is only half the battle. The true appeal of screenless trackers is clean design, deep personalized insights, and a sense that the device simply disappears into daily life. Cirqa looks like just another entrant in a rapidly evolving category – as Apple looms.
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Apple Music to introduce ‘Made With AI’ labels for AI-generated music later this year
Apple Music is preparing to make AI use in songs more transparent to listeners. The streaming service announced that it will begin displaying “Made With AI” labels on tracks that content providers identify as being materially generated using AI, with the feature expected to roll out later this year.
According to Billboard’s Kristin Robinson, Apple Music informed music industry partners via email on Thursday that any song tagged as “materially generated using AI” by labels, distributors, or other providers will carry a visible label for users. The initiative builds on Apple’s earlier introduction of AI Transparency Tags, a system that requires content providers to disclose when AI plays a material role in creating artwork, tracks, compositions, or music videos.
In the email obtained by Billboard, Apple emphasized the key role of content providers, noting they are “best positioned to know how their content was created” and which AI Transparency Tags apply. The company clarified that the requirement covers tracks primarily derived from generative AI services.
The move follows recent industry efforts. A coalition of recorded music stakeholders had proposed standardized labeling, distinguishing between fully “AI-generated” works and those that are merely “AI-assisted.” While that proposal was not yet uniformly adopted across platforms, services such as Tidal and Deezer had already begun experimenting with similar disclosures. Apple Music’s step represents a concrete implementation by a major streaming platform.
Earlier this year, Apple Music executive Oliver Schusser highlighted the scale of AI submissions, stating that more than a third of monthly deliveries were fully AI-generated, though actual listener usage remained very low—under 0.5 percent. He stressed that labels and distributors should take responsibility for identifying AI content, even as Apple has developed internal detection tools.
By making these disclosures visible to everyday users, Apple Music aims to give listeners clearer information about the origins of the music they stream while placing the primary responsibility for accurate tagging on the industry partners who supply the content.
MacDailyNews Take: If labels and distributors fail to identify AI content, Apple should use its internal detection tools (which we presume are AI or, at least, AI-assisted) to apply its “Made With AI” label.
Note also that starting in mid-September 2026, Spotify will display an “AI Persona” badge on artist profiles whose public identity (name and imagery) appears to be AI-generated and does not represent a real person.
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President Trump and Apple cheer Micron’s $10 billion research lab push
Micron Technology announced Thursday plans to invest $10 billion over the next decade in a new long-horizon research institution called Micron Research Labs, headquartered in Boise, Idaho. The initiative aims to advance memory technologies, compute systems, packaging, and future semiconductor manufacturing to help ease supply-chain bottlenecks and support the surging demands of artificial intelligence.
The company expects to break ground on a flagship campus in 2027. The facility will be designed to host hundreds of researchers and serve as a hub connecting customers, academia, government, startups, and the broader semiconductor ecosystem. It will also fund university collaborations and satellite labs as part of a global research network. This commitment builds on more than $250 billion Micron has already pledged for American manufacturing and R&D, which the company says will create over 90,000 American jobs.
The announcement drew strong support from President Trump’s administration. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that memory is central to America’s technological leadership and that the new lab, under President Trump’s focus on domestic semiconductor capabilities, will strengthen innovation, create jobs, and ensure memory does not constrain progress. White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios similarly praised the move as advancing the administration’s goal of securing U.S. technological edge in the AI era.
Memory is a core component of America’s technological leadership, and under President Trump, the United States is advancing domestic semiconductor capabilities. Today, Micron announced the establishment of the first dedicated Memory Research Lab along with a $10 billion investment in memory research. This commitment will strengthen American innovation, create hundreds of jobs and ensure memory never limits innovation. – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick
Micron’s establishment of the first dedicated memory research lab in the United States advances the Trump Administration’s mission to secure our nation’s technological edge. Memory is fundamental to the AI era, and by uniting the entire innovation ecosystem here at home, we can help ensure the next generation of breakthroughs are invented, developed, and scaled in America. This investment strengthens our national competitiveness and accelerates the path to the AI-driven Golden Age of American Innovation. – Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Michael Kratsios
Apple CEO Tim Cook also voiced enthusiasm. “For more than two decades, Micron has been an important partner, providing memory technologies for Apple’s groundbreaking products that people love and use every day around the world,” Cook said. “With the launch of Micron Research Labs, they are building on a legacy of leadership in semiconductor research to drive breakthroughs in memory and computing for decades to come. Apple believes deeply in American innovation, and we’re proud to support Micron as it expands leading-edge manufacturing and R&D in the United States.”
Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra emphasized the long-term stakes: “The decisions we make today will determine who leads the AI economy of tomorrow, and America’s AI future will be built on American-made memory.” The lab is positioned as the first dedicated U.S. memory research hub of its kind, focused on technologies beyond current roadmaps.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple lending support to Micron’s $10 billion U.S. research lab is a smart move. More American-made advanced memory means stronger supply chains for the devices the world actually wants. Win-win.
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Apple faces privacy questions as OpenAI’s ChatGPT gains control of iMessage
OpenAI has introduced a new capability that lets ChatGPT take control of Apple’s iMessage service, a development that could heighten privacy concerns for the Cupertino colossus, according to Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman.
The feature, which rolled out Thursday and is available in ChatGPT on the Mac, enables the AI system to read, write, and send text messages. It can also search message history, generate summaries, and pull other information from conversations in the Apple Messages app.
While the integration offers greater convenience for users who want AI assistance with their communications, it raises questions about how much access third-party systems should have to personal messaging data on Apple devices. Apple has long positioned privacy as a core strength of its ecosystem, making the expansion of ChatGPT’s reach into iMessage a notable development.
MacDailyNews Take: Ay yi yi.
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Apple releases new AirPods beta firmware
Apple today released a new beta firmware update for several AirPods models, marking the fifth version in the current testing cycle. The firmware, build 9A5347a, is available to both developers and public beta testers.
The update covers the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. It primarily adds support for new features coming in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate. These include a redesigned AirPods interface, a dedicated slider for Adaptive Audio mode, and custom EQ options. The firmware also enables compatibility with Apple’s updated Siri AI capabilities.
To install the beta firmware, connect your AirPods to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, or later. In the AirPods settings menu, you’ll find an option to enable beta updates. Once toggled on, the firmware can download when the AirPods are connected to the Apple device and plugged into power. Installation is not instant; updates often take several hours to complete, as there is no dedicated “Software Update” button like on iPhones or Macs.
MacDailyNews Note: This beta continues Apple’s ongoing work to align AirPods more closely with the upcoming system software releases. As with any beta firmware, users should be aware that it may contain bugs or incomplete features and is intended for testing purposes.
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Apple among tech giants in court fight over voice data used to train AI
Apple and eight other leading tech companies, including Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Samsung, are battling proposed class-action lawsuits in Chicago federal court. Plaintiffs — journalists, podcasters, and audiobook narrators — allege the firms violated Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by using thousands of hours of recorded human voices without permission to train their AI systems.
Ross Kimbarovsky of Loevy & Loevy is representing the plaintiffs – a group of journalists, podcasters and audiobook narrators – in the proposed class action lawsuits. He said each of the defendants faces hundreds of millions of dollars in potential damages…
He said his Chicago firm, which specializes in civil rights law, will be paid on a contingency basis if the cases are successful. Kimbarovsky declined to detail the size of the firm’s potential stake.
BIPA contains statutory penalties for companies that collect biometric data from workers and consumers without informing them, obtaining consent or detailing the scope and duration of the collection. The law also requires companies to develop a written policy that includes guidelines for destroying such data and prohibits them from selling it.
The lawsuits do not allege copyright violations, unlike a wave of other cases nationwide alleging the unauthorized use of data to train AI models. The nine cases are currently spread among seven different judges at the Chicago court, although Apple last month asked for them to be consolidated before a single judge.
The tech companies deny the allegations and have assembled a phalanx of corporate defense attorneys at 10 law firms to battle the lawsuits, including Gibson Dunn for Apple…
MacDailyNews Take: If the companies are found to have violated BIPA by using content without permission to train their AI, then they should pay any damages that are awarded.
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New CEO John Ternus likely to shake up Apple’s spending strategy
As John Ternus prepares to step in as Apple’s CEO in just two weeks, investors are eyeing a potential shift in the company’s spending priorities.
The hardware engineering veteran is expected to steer Apple toward heavier investment in artificial-intelligence software, possibly easing the firm’s long-standing emphasis on massive share buybacks in favor of more aggressive R&D and growth initiatives in the AI era.
Angela Palumbo for Barron’s:
“We expect much of the core of Apple to remain unchanged under incoming CEO John Ternus,” [BofA Security analyst Wamsi Mohan wrote in a note on Thursday].
But Ternus might change at least one long-standing strategy that has helped distinguished Apple from its megacap tech peers.
Apple announced when reporting fiscal second-quarter earnings in April that it would no longer provide net cash neutral as a formal target, and will instead independently evaluate cash and debt.
“Apple has moved away from a net cash neutral objective, which in our opinion, could signal a period of higher investment in R&D, Capex, and larger M&A,” Mohan said. He added that, while more spending and M&A is not something that Apple focused on under Cook’s leadership, the company might need to make a change to keep up with the accelerating speed of innovation in the age of AI…
Apple has already been spending more to improve its AI offerings. It increased R&D investments by 32% to $11.7 billion in the fiscal third quarter, a move that pushed operating expenses up by 23% to $19.1 billion.
But the company still spends significantly less than other massive tech companies.
MacDailyNews Take: We shall see.
Under Tim Cook, Apple systematically strayed from Steve Jobs’ core vision. Product Design, the very soul of the company Jobs rebuilt, was demoted, sidelined, and subordinated to operations, supply-chain efficiency, and services revenue. The result? Fifteen long years of polished, but profoundly boring iteration: thinner bezels, faster chips, incremental camera bumps, and endless “Pro” variants that rarely moved the industry forward the way the original iPhone, iPad, or even the aluminum unibody MacBooks once did.
Jobs put Design at the absolute top of the food chain. Jony Ive’s group wasn’t a service department; it was the engine. Cook flipped the hierarchy. Hardware engineering, operations, and finance called the shots (poorly; witness Luca Maestri famously rejecting calls to invest in AI early on which is why he’s now sidelined). Design became reactive instead of directive. The Vision Pro launched as an impressive, but overpriced, underbaked curiosity. After billions spent, the Apple Car evaporated. True category-defining leaps simply did not happen.
Now comes John Ternus, a product person, a hardware guy who has spent his career shipping actual devices rather than optimizing margins. Early signals are encouraging: bringing trusted hardware lieutenants back into the fold and already embedding himself with the industrial design group. That is exactly the right instinct.
If Ternus moves quickly to restore Design to its rightful place at the apex of Apple’s decision-making, the company might finally escape the long, comfortable, lucrative mediocrity of the Cook era. Apple doesn’t need another fifteen years of safer, prettier, or just different iterations. It needs the return of products that make people stop, stare, and rethink what a computer in their pocket, on their wrist, or on their face can be.
The hardware engineer is about to become CEO. The question is whether he has the will — and the authority with Cook looming as Executive Chairman — to put Design back on top where Jobs left it. The next few years will tell us if Apple can innovate again… or if the iteration treadmill simply continues under a new CEO. – MacDailyNews, August 4, 2026
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Apple TV series ‘Lucky’ preserves the novel’s central identity crisis
Apple TV’s “Lucky” (starring Anya Taylor-Joy) adapts Marissa Stapley’s 2021 novel about a con artist grappling with her identity and upbringing. In this Hollywood Reporter interview, Stapley discusses the series finale, key differences from the book (including the father-daughter dynamic with Timothy Olyphant’s character), the central theme of breaking free from a life of deception, and her plans for a book sequel that incorporates show-original characters — plus thoughts on a potential Season 2.
Lexy Perez for The Hollywood Reporter:
“We’ve got different people making different interpretations, but I think we’re all on the same page in terms of who she is,” Stapley says of her novel‘s protagonist portrayal onscreen in the Apple series…
“You see her in the book and in the show really grappling with the fact that what her father took away from her was being like anyone else [and] having that inherent trust,” the author explains. Lucky also makes a point to “not hurt people who don’t deserve it. She wants to make reparations, more so in the book, but you do see that in the show where she wants to try to undo some of the harm that she’s done.”
The show diverges from the book’s plot, with some of the storytelling mechanics shifting for the screen. The novel, for example, explores a dual timeline of Lucky’s past and present and includes Lucky searching for her mother, who is mentioned to be dead in the series. But the central question surrounding the protagonist remains: If the only life Lucky has ever known is one she no longer wants, who is she without it?
To fully understand Lucky requires understanding the relationship with her father John, which fuels the emotional engine of the Apple TV series. “The book and the show are such companions to each other. I feel like Lucky the book really provides the origin story of that emotional core of the show, which is the relationship with John,” the author says…
Should the show be renewed — though it is categorized as a limited series — Stapley notes the core question of who Lucky can be after walking away from her con artist ways would likely be explored.
“I would imagine in a second season we would see who is Lucky? Who does she become? We would have to explore her relationship with her father further and see what happens there,” she continues while discussing Lucky’s potential on the screen. “But I wonder if Lucky’s journey is actually OK. How does she take her gray moral compass and use the fact that she can see the matrix potentially for good? What would [it] be like for Lucky to have people in her life who genuinely love her and have not gaslit her. What would she do to preserve these relationships?”
MacDailyNews Take: Here’s the trailer for Lucky:
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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Apple TV’s sports comedy ‘Stick’ season two arrives November 4th
Today, Apple TV revealed a first look at the second season of its sports comedy “Stick,” starring and executive produced by Owen Wilson and created by Jason Keller, which will expand its cast to include Emmy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Rhea Seehorn (“Pluribus”) in a supporting role. Also starring Peter Dager, Marc Maron, Mariana Treviño, Lilli Kay, Judy Greer, and Timothy Olyphant, “Stick” returns for its second season on Apple TV on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, with two episodes, followed by one episode weekly until December 30, 2026.
“Stick” is a comedy about a found family and their relationships set within the world of golf as it has never been shown before. In season one, Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago. After the collapse of his marriage and getting fired from his job at an Indiana sporting goods store, Pryce hedges his bets, and future, entirely on a troubled 17-year-old golf phenom named Santi (Dager).
Peter Dager and Lilli Kay in “Stick,” premiering November 4, 2026 on Apple TV.
In season two, Santi takes the next step in his pursuit of professional golf, only to discover how quickly the game changes when talent becomes expectation. As Santi chases his dream, Pryce finds himself wondering what might still be possible for him. Urged on by his former rival Clark Ross (Olyphant), Pryce does something nobody expects: he bets on himself, launching an improbable comeback in hopes of becoming the oldest golfer ever to win a major. But the road back proves far harder than he imagined. And the closer Pryce gets to the golfer he once was, the more he is forced to confront why he never fulfilled the promise everyone once saw in him. With brilliant new coach Amanda (Seehorn) and trusted caddie Mitts (Maron) in his corner, Pryce sets out to prove — to the golf world and, more importantly, to himself — that maybe he really was as good as everyone always said he was.
In addition to Seehorn, season two also welcomes John Higgins, Billy Zane, Rex Linn, Sasha Alexander, and Missi Pyle, and features return guest appearances from legendary broadcasters Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman, Good Good’s Matt Scharff and golf enthusiast Dan Rapaport.
Hailing from Apple Studios, “Stick” is showrun by Keller, who also serves as executive producer alongside Wilson, Ben Silverman for Propagate Content and Entertainment 360’s Guymon Casady. The series is also executive produced by Christopher Moynihan, Rodney Ferrell, Howard T. Owens, Drew Buckley, Lee Eisenberg and Bill Callahan.
Apple TV offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all of a user’s favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 864 wins and 3,818 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” global cultural phenomenon “Severance,” Apple’s most-viewed drama “Pluribus,” Academy Award Best Picture winner “CODA” and Academy Award winner “F1,” the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.
MacDailyNews Take: Good God, Lilli Kay’s character, Zero, is still there like a fly in an otherwise appetizing soup! Yuck.
See also: “What a horrible character destroying the whole show”: Owen Wilson’s ‘Stick’ Falls Short of One Key Aspect That Made ‘Ted Lasso’ Great – FandomWire, June 17, 2025
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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Apple owes a hidden debt to the CIA
In the mid-1980s, as Steve Jobs struggled to keep his post-Apple venture NeXT alive, an unexpected lifeline arrived from the CIA.
During the height of the Cold War, intelligence officials sought advanced computing power for satellite reconnaissance and battlefield intelligence. Their interest in NeXT’s technology helped sustain the company long enough for Apple to later acquire it— bringing Jobs back and providing the foundational operating system that would power the modern Mac and iPhone.
This surprising chapter of Silicon Valley history, drawn from Sharon Weinberger’s forthcoming book Valley of Death, reveals the hidden debt Apple owes to U.S. intelligence funding.
Sharon Weinberger via The Wall Street Journal:
When the CIA dropped in unannounced at the headquarters of Steve Jobs’s new computer company, NeXT, the Cold War was in full swing.
The year was 1986, and President Ronald Reagan was sending billions of dollars to the Pentagon, much of it to fund new technology, including missile defense and spy satellites. Within the national security community, some people understood the importance of the computing revolution unfolding in Silicon Valley—and why they needed to tap into it.
Joe Romello and Jeff Harris were two of those people. Working for what was known as the CIA’s “Program B,” a classified initiative to develop satellite reconnaissance, they believed Jobs, who had formed his new company in 1985 after being pushed out of Apple, could help supply crucial technology for the intelligence community…
Jobs would not have been totally surprised to learn the CIA was asking to speak to him.
In addition to starting NeXT, in February of 1986 he had acquired the computer graphics division of George Lucas’s Lucasfilms, which made the Pixar Image Computer. Jobs’s controlling interest in the newly spun out company came with an unexpected piece of technology: Pixar had been working with ESL, a Silicon Valley defense company, and had custom-built a computer for intelligence analysts to assess satellite images.
MacDailyNews Take: NeXTSTEP (later OPENSTEP) became the foundation of Apple’s modern operating systems after Apple acquired NeXT in 1997.
Steve Jobs’s NeXT company had built an advanced Unix-based OS with a Mach kernel, BSD components, object-oriented frameworks (Foundation and AppKit), and Objective-C. Apple used this technology to create Mac OS X (now macOS), replacing the aging classic Mac OS. Its core, known as Darwin/XNU, plus the Cocoa frameworks are direct descendants of NeXTSTEP.
Apple then adapted the same shared foundation for mobile and other platforms:
• iOS (and later iPadOS) uses the identical Darwin/XNU kernel and core libraries, with UIKit evolved from AppKit concepts for touch interfaces.
• watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS are further specialized variants built on the same underlying kernel, frameworks, and runtime.
This common NeXTSTEP-derived architecture is why Apple’s operating systems share so much code, security model, and developer tools today.
You can read the full excerpt from Weinberger’s book via Apple News here.
The book, Valley of Death: How Big Tech Is Fueling the Future of War by Sharon Weinberger is available via Amazon here.
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Apple Watch Series 12 said to revive beloved ceramic case after six-year absence
Apple is poised to revive one of its most distinctive and sought-after Apple Watch materials with the upcoming Series 12. According to recent reports from reputable sources, the ceramic case option (last available in 2019) could return as a premium choice this fall.
On August 19, 2026, the leaker and prototype collector known as Kosutami posted on X: “Hell yeah, Ceramic Watch is back. We’ll see it at Series 12.” This brief but enthusiastic claim has gained traction across Apple-focused outlets, reinforcing earlier reporting.
Hell yeah, Ceramic Watch is back. We'll see it at Series 12.
— Kosutami (@Kosutami_Ito) August 19, 2026
Just days earlier, Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman noted in his Power On newsletter that Apple was planning a ceramic case option for either the current year or 2027. Kosutami’s post points toward a 2026 arrival with the Series 12, expected to debut at Apple’s September event alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 4, iPhone 18 Pro models, and the company’s first foldable iPhone.
A Brief History of Ceramic on Apple Watch
Apple first introduced a white ceramic case with the Apple Watch Series 2 Edition in September 2016. It replaced the ultra-expensive solid-gold Edition models and dropped the starting price to a still-premium $1,249. The material, created from compressed zirconia and alumina powder and polished with a diamond slurry, was marketed as four times harder than stainless steel, offering exceptional scratch resistance and a glossy, lustrous finish.
A gray ceramic option arrived with the Series 3. Ceramic disappeared for the Series 4 in 2018, returned in white for the Series 5 Edition in 2019 (alongside the new titanium option), and was discontinued again with the Series 6 in 2020. It has been absent from the lineup for six years, becoming a collector favorite on the secondary market.
Past ceramic models were heavier than aluminum or titanium versions (comparable in weight to stainless steel) and commanded significant premiums. The Series 5 ceramic started around $1,299, well above aluminum and even stainless steel or titanium options of the era.
The ceramic finish stands out for its non-metallic appearance, smooth feel, and superior resistance to scratches and tarnishing compared with aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium. Fans and collectors have long requested its comeback, praising both aesthetics and durability.
Details remain limited. It is unclear whether Apple will offer only the classic white finish or expand to additional colors (such as the gray that’s appeared previously). Pricing is also unknown, though it is widely expected to sit above current titanium models as a high-end option. The discontinued “Edition” branding is unlikely to return, but a clear premium positioning is anticipated.
Broader Series 12 Expectations
Beyond the potential ceramic case, the Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to deliver modest rather than revolutionary upgrades. Reports point to a new chip for improved performance (after several years of relatively similar silicon), new color and band options, and incremental health and fitness features. No major redesign is anticipated; the case design introduced with the Series 10 is likely to continue for a third year. The Ultra 4 is expected to follow a similar pattern of under-the-hood improvements.
Apple has not confirmed any of these details. As with all unreleased products, plans can change. However, the alignment between Gurman’s earlier reporting and Kosutami’s more specific claim has raised confidence that ceramic could indeed make a high-profile return in September 2026.
MacDailyNews Take: For many longtime Apple Watch enthusiasts, such as ourselves, the glossy, scratch-resistant ceramic case represents a unique blend of luxury and practicality that the current aluminum-and-titanium lineup does not fully match. If the rumors hold, Series 12 could finally deliver the material for which fans have been waiting!
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Meta AI rolls out beta Mac app featuring screen sharing and system-wide dictation
Meta has released a new Meta AI application for Mac in beta form, aimed primarily at businesses and content creators. The app integrates with Facebook and Instagram, offering analytics capabilities that allow users to query performance data. It also connects with Google Workspace for document access, though this requires a professional Facebook or Instagram account.
A standout feature is the ability to share a specific window via screen capture during a session, enabling the AI to provide advice based on the user’s current work. The app includes built-in dictation that functions across all applications on the Mac.
Meta is expanding AI tools for business users across its platforms, allowing the assistant to handle recurring tasks and reminders while generating decks, documents, and spreadsheets.
Users should exercise caution when enabling Meta AI features. According to Meta’s privacy policy, interactions with its AI tools are used to train the company’s models. Meta AI remains free to use, with optional Meta One plans available that raise rate limits.
MacDailyNews Take: Yeah, we couldn’t pass on this faster if we tried.
Meta is to privacy as Chernobyl is to nuclear power. – MacDailyNews, December 19, 2024
As we wrote in May 2018, “If you trust Mark Zuckerberg to be the keeper of your photos, contacts, political views, religious beliefs, etc., you’re batshit insane.”
Instant messages sent by Mark Zuckerberg during Facebook’s early days, reported by Business Insider in May 2010:
Zuckerberg: Yeah so if you ever need info about anyone at Harvard
Zuckerberg: Just ask
Zuckerberg: I have over 4,000 emails, pictures, addresses, SNS
Zuckerberg: People just submitted it.
Zuckerberg: I don’t know why.
Zuckerberg: They “trust me”
Zuckerberg: Dumb fucks
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Apple’s camera-equipped AI AirPods not arriving until 2027 despite internal video leak
Apple’s plans for camera-equipped AirPods designed for AI features remain on track for a 2027 release, even after a recent internal video leak suggested the product could arrive earlier, according to Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman.
The new earbuds, intended to push Apple deeper into the AI wearables market, were originally targeted for introduction in 2026. They entered advanced testing with Apple employees in the spring. However, supply-chain and software challenges led the company to postpone the project until 2027, as Gurman previously reported in June.
Earlier this week, a developer version of a macOS software update accidentally included a demo video showing the camera-equipped AirPods in action with Apple’s Visual Intelligence feature. The video, first highlighted by MacRumors, depicted the earbuds analyzing real-world objects — such as reading a book title — to provide context to Siri. The leak, coming ahead of Apple’s expected September iPhone event, sparked speculation that an earlier launch might be imminent.
Here is your first look at AirPods with Cameras in action using Visual Intelligence.
This video file came from macOS 26.7 RC pic.twitter.com/yo7RI4MCeu
— Aaron (@aaronp613) August 18, 2026
Gurman reports that product challenges are still being resolved, and the camera AirPods remain off Apple’s 2026 release schedule. Sources familiar with the matter said Apple continues to target a 2027 introduction.
Apple has worked on at least two versions of the product. One, code-named B790, was a modified version of the AirPods Pro 3 with added sensors and AI capabilities; this is the model that appears in the leaked video and had been on the 2026 roadmap until recently. The other, B798, is a new generation of AirPods Pro that also includes the cameras.
The cameras are low-resolution sensors meant to scan the surrounding environment and feed visual context to Siri and other AI tools, rather than capture photos or videos. Apple is reportedly mindful of privacy concerns, particularly in light of backlash against similar camera-equipped devices from other companies.
The 2027 launch could align with other major products in Apple’s pipeline, including a glass-centric 20th-anniversary iPhone and potentially other AI-focused wearables.
MacDailyNews Take: So, quell.
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Steve Jobs’ 8th-grade science fair project attracts $8,475 in bids amid heated Apple memorabilia auction
Long before co-founding Apple and revolutionizing personal computing, a young Steve Jobs was already diving deep into electronics. In eighth grade, he built a science fair project titled “What is the Silicon-Controlled Rectifier?” Now, that piece of early history is up for grabs.
As of Wednesday morning, bidding on the project has reached $8,475. The item is part of RR Auction’s “Steve Jobs: The Computer Revolution – The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction Part Two.” Interested collectors have until August 20 at 6:00 p.m. ET to place a bid. The project comes from the personal collection of John Chovanec, stepbrother of Steve Jobs.
The display is characteristically eye-catching. It features a thin wooden backer with a curved wooden banner posing the question “What is the SCR?” Typed explanations are stapled to the board, along with two test circuits demonstrating how the semiconductor devices control electrical power. A note to the judges politely (but firmly) instructs them to “please unplug!” the circuit after use—an early glimpse of Jobs’ well-known attention to detail and control.
Accompanying the display is a written report bound in a blue folder with hand stenciling. In it, the young Jobs explained: “For my science project I have selected to do research and experiment with the silicon-controlled rectifier. I am making a circuit that demonstrates the basic properties and characteristics of this semiconductor. The silicon-controlled rectifier is the most widely used of a family of four-layer semi-conducter power devices that exhibit regenerative or latching-type switching action. The silicon-controlled rectifier is widely known as the SCR. International standards describe the complete family of semiconducter regenerative switches under the name Thyristors.”
While the science project offers the most personal connection to Jobs himself, the auction is packed with other high-value Apple memorabilia. An Apple-1 computer housed in a Smith-Corona typewriter case, complete with original documentation, has already drawn bids of $205,000. A PSA Gem Mint 10-graded Steve Jobs-signed Apple business card from around 1983 has climbed to $103,574 (nearly double its pre-auction estimate).
The strong early interest underscores the enduring fascination with Jobs’ life and the early days of Apple, even decades after his death. For collectors of tech history, this auction is delivering rare opportunities to own tangible pieces of that legacy.
MacDailyNews Note: More info about this item and the other items up for auction via RR Auction here.
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Apple’s ‘HomePad’ to home screen said to feature ‘Faces’
Apple’s latest macOS beta has spilled some intriguing details about a long-rumored HomePod with a built-in display.
Buried in the code are references to customizable “faces,” widgets, Smart Stacks, privacy-aware features, and even a wall-mountable version—hints that the smart speaker we’ve known for years may finally be getting a major interactive upgrade.
Filipe Espósito for Engadget:
The beta code from Apple makes clear references to a new “HomeAccessory” that is likely a HomePod (or maybe a HomePad?) with a screen… Like other HomePods, this new model with a display is likely to run a variant of tvOS. The interface will be quite different, though. The code reveals that its home screen will feature “Faces” and a “Face Gallery.” Think of them like Apple Watch faces, but bigger. These faces appear to be customizable with different widgets and even Smart Stacks, so you’ll see different widgets throughout the day.
The code also suggests that the new HomePod can detect when the user’s iPhone is nearby to decide whether or not to display personal information in the widgets. That’s a really nice touch for keeping sensitive data private. iPhone widgets can also be added to this HomePod. It should work much like placing iPhone app widgets on your Mac using Handoff. Support for Siri AI and App Intents is also expected based on what the code tells us.
MacDailyNews Take: We’re actually waiting to see this as we need a couple of HomePods currently, but, if they offer comparable sound quality to HomePod, they might as well be “HomePads.”
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Meta ran ads for AI app promising to ‘Nudify’ female politicians; Apple pulls it from App Store
Meta recently ran advertisements on its platforms for an AI tool that encouraged users to generate nonconsensual intimate images and videos of women, including deepfakes resembling female U.S. politicians, despite the company’s explicit bans on sexual content and “nudify” apps.
The app, called Kromix and marketed as an “AI image styler,” featured video ads that WIRED reviewed. One advertisement showed a woman closely resembling a prominent female U.S. politician standing in front of American flags with the caption “What if she moved?” She winked, then the ad cut to a pornographic video featuring a woman with the same face. A voice-over promoted the tool as having “no restrictions,” claimed “all the characters are real people,” and described it as “the AI that men actually use.”
According to Meta’s ad library, the campaign targeted male users exclusively under the tagline “Unleash Next-gen AI Magic.” The account behind the ads, created in early August with no followers, ran 32 advertisements that lasted between five and 46 hours. Most received fewer than 10 impressions. The ads were removed after WIRED inquired about them.
Kromix, previously available on Apple’s App Store, allowed paid users to upload photos and place them into scenarios including “bedroom rape” and “Disney love.” It also generated AI pornographic videos of women in Spider-Man costumes. Apple removed the app after WIRED’s request for comment, stating that the developer had added prohibited content after initial review. The company reiterated that apps designed to generate or distribute pornography, including “nudification” tools, violate its guidelines and that it works aggressively to remove them.
This incident marks the latest failure by Meta to keep ads for tools producing nonconsensual intimate imagery off Facebook and Instagram. Researchers and the company itself have previously documented thousands of similar ads. Between late last year and early this year, Meta said it removed more than 340,000 ads promoting nudify services and has pursued legal action against at least one developer.
Meta’s advertising standards prohibit sexual imagery, nudity, and the promotion of nudify or “AI kissing” apps. The company says its review system relies primarily on automated tools and that it continuously strengthens defenses against adversarial tactics, such as using benign cover images of beaches or mountains to hide pornographic content. Cindy Southworth, Meta’s head of women’s safety, called the promotion of such apps “horrific” and said the company shares information about removed apps with other tech firms while investigating how these particular ads bypassed detection.
Katie Paul, director of the Tech Transparency Project, which discovered the ads, noted that the material exclusively sexualizes women and raises questions about Meta’s handling of content targeting female politicians. Experts point out that elected officials, overwhelmingly women, have long been targets of nonconsensual deepfakes, with official portraits and press footage increasingly used as raw material for low- and no-code AI tools.
MacDailyNews Take: The episode comes amid broader scrutiny of Meta’s ad moderation, including recent revelations that the company ran dozens of ads containing AI-generated child sexual abuse material. It seems that that heavy reliance on AI moderation, coupled with reduced human oversight, has left quality control lagging behind the rapid evolution of harmful deepfake technology.
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Apple simplifies EU App Store fees, replaces complex structure with flat commissions
This week, Apple announced significant changes to its business terms for apps in the European Union, aiming to resolve ongoing disagreements with the European Commission under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The updates introduce a unified set of commission-based terms for all developers distributing apps in the EU, eliminate several prior fees, and take effect on October 1st. Developers can begin signing the new terms immediately.
The European Commission welcomed the changes and said it would monitor their implementation. Apple stated the revisions follow close collaboration with regulators and reduce complexity by moving every developer to a single business model similar to those offered in markets like Japan and Brazil.
Key Changes: Before vs. After
Previously, Apple’s EU fee structure—particularly after adjustments in 2024 and mid-2025 to address DMA requirements—was multi-layered and often criticized as overly complex. Under the earlier alternative business terms:
• Developers using the App Store typically paid a reduced commission of 17% (or 10% for Small Business Program participants and certain subscriptions) on digital goods and services, plus a 3% fee if using Apple’s In-App Purchase system (effectively around 20% or 13% total in many cases). Traditional standard terms remained closer to the global 30%/15% rates.
• Apps directing users to alternative payments or external links faced additional charges, including an initial acquisition fee (often 2–5% on sales from new users for a set period) and a store services fee (tiered at 5% for limited services or 10–13% for fuller App Store features).
• High-volume apps incurred a Core Technology Fee (CTF) of €0.50 for each first annual install over a one-million threshold, applying to apps distributed via the App Store, alternative marketplaces, or the web. This per-install model applied mainly to a small percentage of large-scale developers.
These elements created variable total costs depending on distribution method, payment processing, user acquisition timing, and scale, which regulators argued discouraged alternative distribution channels.
Under the new terms effective October 1st:
• App Store apps using Apple In-App Purchase: 26% commission (15% for the vast majority of developers in the Small Business Program, Mini Apps Partner Program, Video Partner Program, or for auto-renewing subscriptions after the first year).
• App Store apps using alternative payment processing: 20% commission (10% for eligible program participants).
• App Store apps that link out to complete purchases: 15% commission (10% for eligible program participants).
• Apps distributed via alternative app marketplaces or the web: A flat 5% Core Technology Commission on digital transactions.
The prior Core Technology Fee (per-install), initial acquisition fee, and store services fee are eliminated entirely. The new Core Technology Commission replaces the CTF specifically for outside-App Store distribution.
Apple will also allow developers to offer Apple In-App Purchase alongside alternative payment options (previously restricted in the EU), subject to presentation rules and a requirement to maintain chosen options for 12 months. Additional child safety measures apply to alternative payments, including parental gates and restrictions on linking out for younger users. Eligibility to operate alternative marketplaces or distribute via the web has been expanded to more companies meeting financial stability or other criteria. All alternatively distributed apps still require Apple’s notarization review.
MacDailyNews Take: These changes mark Apple’s latest effort to align with EU overregulation while preserving value for its significant platform investments and maintenance.
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Apple’s camera-equipped AirPods must heed lessons of Meta Ray-Bans Pervert Glasses, warns Bloomberg’s Dave Lee
In an opinion column on Wednesday, Bloomberg News’ Dave Lee argues that Apple’s imminent AI-enhanced wearable (revealed through a leaked demo video embedded in an upcoming macOS update) represents a pivotal moment for the company, but one that carries significant risks if privacy is mishandled.
The 13-second video shows a man wearing AirPods holding up a book, with a voice-over promoting “Visual Intelligence”: “your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later.”
Here is your first look at AirPods with Cameras in action using Visual Intelligence.
This video file came from macOS 26.7 RC pic.twitter.com/yo7RI4MCeu
— Aaron (@aaronp613) August 18, 2026
Lee notes this confirms earlier Bloomberg News reporting and signals a possible launch as soon as Apple’s September iPhone event. Unlike routine iPhone upgrades, a wearable device with a camera marks a landmark shift: done right, it could give Apple an edge by letting ordinary users interact with AI in the physical world. Done poorly, it could backfire spectacularly.
Lee stresses that the details matter, especially how users define a “camera” and what the feature actually does. Drawing on the backlash against Meta’s smart glasses (widely derided as “pervert glasses” over privacy scandals, non-consensual recording, and related controversies), he warns Apple must learn those lessons.
MacDailyNews Take: No other company is as well-positioned as Apple to succeed in wearables where privacy is prized.
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