Apple News
Apple tests China’s CXMT memory chips for Macs, iPhones, and iPads
Apple has been testing memory chips from China’s ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) for use across product lines that include iPhones and MacBooks, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing people familiar with the matter. The move comes as the company grapples with a severe memory-chip shortage intensified by surging demand from the artificial-intelligence boom.
The iPhone maker has held early talks with CXMT about potential supply of components, with the aim of incorporating them into some devices sold in China. Apple is seeking approval from the Trump administration to proceed with any business involving the Chinese chipmaker. Any such deal would be politically sensitive. Some U.S. policymakers worry that collaboration could give CXMT access to American intellectual property.
CXMT ranks as China’s largest chipmaker by market value. The testing reflects broader industry pressure: AI data-center demand has redirected substantial DRAM production capacity toward high-bandwidth memory used in AI accelerators, tightening supplies and driving up prices for the conventional memory chips needed in smartphones, PCs, and other consumer electronics.
Other device makers have already begun limited use of CXMT chips. Laptop producers HP and Acer have started incorporating the Chinese company’s memory into some devices sold outside the United States to ease shortages, the Journal reported.
Apple and CXMT did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report. The development builds on earlier indications that Apple has been exploring options with Chinese memory suppliers and lobbying U.S. officials for flexibility amid the supply constraints. CXMT has faced scrutiny in Washington, including designation on a Pentagon list of companies with alleged ties to the Chinese military, adding layers of regulatory and political complexity to any potential partnership.
MacDailyNews Take: The situation underscores the tension between immediate commercial needs (securing enough memory to maintain production volumes and manage costs) and longer-term national-security and technology-transfer concerns. It’s a tightrope walk for sure.
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Apple explores radical Apple Watch overhaul: Screen-free trackers, round displays, and new tiers on the horizon
Apple is considering a sweeping redesign of its Apple Watch lineup to adapt to a wearables market shifting toward screen-free devices and alternative form factors, according to reporting in Bloomberg News’ Mark GurmanBloomberg News’ “Power On” newsletter by Mark Gurman.
The industrial design team has spent roughly the past year exploring a “broader rethink” of the product, evaluating multiple directions that could transform the smartwatch for a new era — potentially on a scale comparable to the iPhone’s shift from a traditional slab to foldable designs. Nothing has been finalized, and major changes are not expected in the near term.
Key concepts under consideration include:
• Screen-free devices: New wearables without displays, aimed at competing with popular fitness bands and trackers such as Whoop, Oura Rings, and Google’s Fitbit Air. These appeal to users seeking lighter, more discreet health and fitness monitoring without constant screen interactions.
• Varied screens and sizes: Different display types and sizes beyond the longstanding rounded-rectangle design that has defined every Apple Watch since 2015.
• Round displays: Circular displays have been explored, though Gurman indicates these are unlikely to reach the market.
• Expanded lineup tiers: Potential premium models positioned above the current Ultra and Hermès variants, alongside more affordable options that go beyond the existing SE model.
The motivation stems from slowing growth in Apple’s Wearables, Home and Accessories segment and intensifying competition in health-focused wearables. Industry trends favor simpler, screenless form factors that emphasize continuous tracking, AI coaching, and comfort over full smartwatch functionality. Internally, execs like Eddy Cue (involved in Health app efforts) have shown interest in devices like Whoop and Oura, aligning with broader pushes into AI-powered wellness.
This year’s models — expected to include the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, likely unveiled alongside new iPhones in September — will remain evolutionary. Anticipated updates include a new chip (the first significant performance refresh in several years), health and fitness enhancements (such as progress toward blood pressure monitoring), possible return of ceramic cases (absent for years and potentially available in 2026 or 2027), new colors, and band options. A full redesign is viewed as still a year or two away.
Apple has reportedly not committed to any specific path, and some ideas under evaluation may never ship. The exploration reflects an effort to reinvigorate the category as consumer preferences evolve and rivals innovate outside the traditional smartwatch mold. Details remain fluid, consistent with Apple’s typical multi-year development cycles for major product shifts.
The company continues preparing for its major September event focused primarily on new iPhones, with the Watch updates expected to play a supporting role this cycle.
MacDailyNews Take: Whoop’s success has not gone unnoticed by Cupertino. And, yes, Apple continually explores options – mundane to radical – in all of its products.
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Apple ramps up for September iPhone event as Ternus prepares CEO transition and scrapped upgrade feature surfaces
Apple is intensifying preparations for its annual September product launch event while incoming CEO John Ternus assembles his leadership team and new details emerge about a discarded element of the company’s recently launched device-leasing program called “Apple Upgrade.”
The company is readying for what is described as its biggest event of the year, expected in the first half of September. Retail employees in the U.S. are participating in a lottery for roles supporting the in-person media gathering at Apple Park, including organizing lines, checking in guests, providing directions, greeting attendees, and assisting security. The event is widely anticipated to feature the latest iPhone models, including Pro variants and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, among other hardware.
At the same time, John Ternus is preparing to assume the CEO role on September 1, succeeding Tim Cook, who will become executive chairman. As part of early management moves, Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman reports, Ternus has brought back Laura Legros, a former vice president of hardware engineering who retired in 2022. Legros previously worked under Ternus and will return as a vice president reporting directly to him. In the new role, she is expected to work cross-functionally, helping coordinate product delivery, development schedules, and alignment across engineering teams — serving as a bridge between different parts of the organization. The hire marks a rare instance of Apple recalling a retired executive and reflects Ternus beginning to put his stamp on the leadership ranks ahead of the transition.
Separately, fresh details have emerged about a scrapped “white-glove” concept for Apple Upgrade, the leasing program that launched in late July and replaced the prior iPhone Upgrade Program and standard financing options. Apple had considered shipping replacement devices already preloaded with a customer’s data and settings restored from an iCloud backup, so the new hardware would arrive ready to use. The technical challenges were not the primary barrier. Instead, privacy and security concerns — along with the optics of the company accessing and restoring personal backups onto devices in its facilities — led the company to abandon the idea. The launched version of Apple Upgrade does not include any such pre-setup feature.
These developments underscore Apple’s focus on a high-stakes product cycle and organizational shifts as Ternus prepares to lead the company into its next phase.
MacDailyNews Take: We’re glad that Apple Upgrade feature was scrapped! Now, we hope for Ternus’ sake that there are enough people left at Apple who remember how the company ran under Steve Jobs so that the company can quickly get back into that mindset. Churning out iterations of Jobs era products for fifteen years fueled a lot of brain drain and Cook era sclerotic thinking at the company over the last decade and a half. Fingers crossed!
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Jefferies downgrades Apple after company cancels plans for Twentieth Anniversary all-glass iPhone
Apple shares faced fresh pressure on Monday after Jefferies cut its rating on the tech giant to Underperform from Hold, citing worries about the company’s ability to sustain higher average selling prices for iPhones amid production setbacks and rising costs.
Analyst Edison Lee lowered the firm’s price target to $263.66 from $285.56, implying roughly 16% downside from recent levels. The move adds to a growing list of more cautious views on the world’s most valuable company.
Jefferies pointed to supply-chain checks indicating that Apple has canceled plans for a Twentieth anniversary all-glass iPhone model originally eyed for a September 2027 launch. The cancellation stemmed from poor production yields. The firm described the decision as “a major setback” to Apple’s efforts to introduce higher-priced devices at a time of soaring memory costs.
According to the note, Apple had intended to extend all-glass design features to future iPhone Pro and Pro Max models to further lift average selling prices and margins. With that path now in doubt, Jefferies reduced its estimated compound annual growth rate for iPhone ASPs between fiscal 2026 and 2031 and cut its fiscal 2028 and 2029 earnings-per-share estimates by about 2% and 3%, respectively.
Lee also flagged recent increases in trade-in values for iPhones in the U.S. and Europe. While those moves could pull forward demand for the current iPhone 17 cycle, they risk creating greater pressure on sales of the subsequent iPhone 18 generation.
The downgrade comes as analysts continue to debate Apple’s long-term smartphone growth trajectory, particularly its capacity to drive premium pricing and volume expansion in a competitive market. Sell-equivalent ratings remain relatively scarce among the broader analyst community, but the latest cut underscores mounting scrutiny of Apple’s hardware roadmap.
MacDailyNews Take: iCal’ed for future use.
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James Marsden to star in Apple TV comedy ‘Bad News Dads’ from Stephen Falk and Berlanti Productions
According to an exclusive report from Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva, Apple TV is developing “Bad News Dads,” a half-hour comedy starring and executive produced by James Marsden. The project comes from “You’re the Worst” creator Stephen Falk, alongside Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, where Greg Berlanti holds an overall deal.
Based on the upcoming novel by Adam Frost, the series follows an inept men’s recreational baseball league. When one player’s wife dies in a suspicious accident, friendship-starved Ben (played by Marsden) rallies two teammates for an often-misguided investigation into what they increasingly believe was murder. While the title and baseball setting nod to “The Bad News Bears,” the story is an original concept with no direct connection to the classic sports film.
Falk, Marsden, and Frost executive produce with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, and Robbie Rogers for Berlanti Productions. Frost’s novel is scheduled for publication on April 6, 2027, by Simon & Schuster/Atria/Emily Bestler Books.
The project continues Apple TV’s interest in mystery-comedy fare, a genre boosted by series like “The Afterparty” and Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.” It also extends Marsden’s recent work with the streamer: he recently appeared in “Your Friends & Neighbors” and stars in and executive produces the upcoming action thriller “Disavowed.” Marsden, known for alternating between drama and comedy (with Emmy nominations for both “Paradise” and “Jury Duty”), next reprises Cyclops in “Avengers: Doomsday.”
Falk, whose other credits include Apple TV’s “Hello Tomorrow!,” Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black,” and Showtime’s “Weeds,” also has a “Hit Man” series inspired by the Glen Powell film in development at Netflix. Berlanti Productions has multiple projects advancing elsewhere, including series at Amazon MGM Studios and Disney+.
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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iOS 26.6.1 imminent: Apple internally testing quick follow-up update for iPhones
Apple is actively testing iOS 26.6.1, a point release that appears poised for release in the coming days, according to visitor logs tracked by sites including 9to5Mac and MacRumors.
The update comes less than two weeks after the public rollout of iOS 26.6 on July 27, 2026. That earlier release focused primarily on bug fixes, security patches, and optimizing the Spotlight index to prepare devices for the smoother transition to iOS 27 later this year.
What’s likely to be included in iOS 26.6.1
Specific release notes are not yet public, as the software remains in internal testing. However, these minor “.1” or “.x.1” updates typically prioritize stability and security rather than new user-facing features.
Likely contents include:
• Security patches: Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 (along with updates for Sequoia and Sonoma) this week to address a significant vulnerability in the Screen Sharing app. A parallel iOS update could include related or additional security fixes.
• Bug fixes: Reports have already surfaced of issues introduced or lingering after iOS 26.6, such as problems with Shortcuts automations. Other refinements to performance, battery behavior, or app stability are common in these rapid follow-ups.
• Continued preparation for iOS 27: While the heavy Spotlight indexing work happened in 26.6, further under-the-hood polish is possible as Apple works toward the fall release of its next major OS.
Apple has publicly stated it is accelerating the pace of iPhone software updates in response to the growing speed of AI-assisted hacking tools. This faster cadence means users should expect more frequent, targeted patches like 26.6.1 rather than waiting weeks or months between releases.
What This Means for iPhone Users
Compatible devices (generally iPhone 11 and later that support iOS 26) will receive the update over-the-air via Settings > General > Software Update once it ships. Installation is recommended for the latest security protections, especially given Apple’s emphasis on rapid response to emerging threats.
No major new features — such as design changes to Liquid Glass, expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, or significant app updates — are expected. Those are reserved for the iOS 27 cycle, which remains in beta and is anticipated for public release in September 2026.
Not every internal build reaches the public, but the appearance of iOS 26.6.1 in analytics logs so soon after 26.6, combined with parallel macOS security releases, strongly suggests a public rollout is imminent. Users who have not yet installed iOS 26.6 should do so first to stay current.
MacDailyNews Take: Stay tuned for the formal release announcement and detailed notes. In the meantime, keep your iPhone backed up and check for the update regularly in the coming days.
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Apple’s iPhone captures 65% of global premium smartphone market as segment hits record 29% share in H1 2026
Apple dominated the premium smartphone segment in the first half of 2026, holding a commanding 65% market share, according to Counterpoint Research. The Cupertino company outpaced the broader industry as devices priced at $600 and above (wholesale average selling price) accounted for a record 29% of overall global smartphone sales.
Premium smartphone unit sales grew 5% year-over-year in H1 2026, outperforming the overall market. This marked a rise from 25% share in H1 2025 and 20% in H1 2022. Counterpoint attributed much of the latest jump to rising memory and component costs, which hit low- and mid-tier devices harder. As prices for mid-range Android phones climbed, the gap with premium models—including older or discounted flagships—narrowed, making higher-end upgrades more attractive. Manufacturers also expanded financing, trade-in, and buyback programs to improve affordability.
Apple’s premium segment shipments rose 9% year-over-year, fueled by strong demand for the iPhone 17 series, particularly the base model. This reversed a prior-year slowdown linked to intensified competition in China, the world’s largest premium smartphone market. Apple’s share edged up from 63% in H1 2025 but remains below the 74% peak recorded in H1 2022.
Global Smartphone Premium Segment Brand Unit Sales Share H1 2022 to H1 2026
Source: Counterpoint Research Global Handset Model Sales Tracker, Jun 2026 (Prelim). Premium Segment includes smartphones with a wholesale price of $600 and above.
Samsung held steady at 19% of the premium market (up from 17% in 2022) and posted 3% year-over-year growth despite a later-than-usual launch of the Galaxy S26 series. Together, Apple and Samsung controlled 84% of global premium smartphone sales, up from 82% a year earlier.
Among other players, OPPO recorded the fastest growth at 69% year-over-year, driven by its Find X9 series, while Vivo grew 20%. The remaining 16% of the premium segment was shared among Chinese brands including Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo.
“Rising memory and component costs are reshaping smartphone pricing and creating opportunities for OEMs to accelerate premiumization,” said Counterpoint Senior Analyst Harshit Rastogi in a statement. “As mid-segment Android smartphone prices rise, the price gap with premium devices, especially older or discounted flagship models, is narrowing. This trend makes flagship smartphones a better upgrade option for consumers. To support this shift, OEMs are expanding financing, trade-in and buyback programs to improve affordability.”
MacDailyNews Take: The data underscores a continued shift toward higher-priced devices even as the broader smartphone market faces volume pressures. Premiumization is expected to persist, supported by better component access for leading brands, steady demand among higher-income consumers, and expanded financing options. In other words; More great news for Apple!
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MacBook Ultra rumors: Apple’s thinner OLED touchscreen flagship expected late 2026 or early 2027
Apple is reportedly preparing a major overhaul of its high-end laptop lineup, potentially under the new “MacBook Ultra” name. This would sit above the existing MacBook Pro as a premium tier, introducing the first OLED display and touchscreen on a Mac, along with a redesigned chassis and Dynamic Island-style camera cutout. All details remain unconfirmed rumors based primarily on reporting from Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman, supply-chain analysts, and firms like Omdia, as of early August 2026.
Release Timing
The MacBook Ultra (internal codes K114 for 14-inch and K116 for 16-inch) is on track for a launch window between late 2026 and early 2027. Apple is testing the machines with macOS 27.1, which is scheduled for consumer release at the end of October 2026—aligning with Apple’s typical late-October Mac launches.
Samsung Display is expected to supply the OLED panels, with production ramping in mid-to-late 2026. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has pointed to mass production beginning late in the year. However, ongoing global memory chip shortages have caused shipping delays on other Apple products and could push the Ultra into early 2027. A concurrent base MacBook Pro with an M6 chip (existing design) is also rumored for fall 2026.
Design Overhaul
This would mark the first major industrial design change for Apple’s high-end laptops since the 2021 MacBook Pro. Reports describe a total redesign that is thinner and lighter than the current models, aided by the switch away from mini-LED backlighting. Screen sizes are expected to stay in the familiar 14- and 16-inch range, with some sources citing slightly larger 14.3-inch and 16.3-inch panels thanks to thinner bezels.
The controversial notch is expected to be replaced by a smaller pill-shaped or hole-punch camera cutout supporting a Dynamic Island experience (similar to the iPhone), which could display notifications, media controls, battery status, and other contextual info. A reinforced hinge is rumored to minimize screen wobble during touch use. Classic ports (MagSafe, HDMI, SD card slot, Thunderbolt) are expected to remain. The new design may later appear on lower-tier MacBook Pro models.
Display and Touch
The standout upgrades are the first OLED panel on a Mac and the first touchscreen. It is expected to use hybrid tandem OLED technology (oxide TFT + RGB tandem, similar to the iPad Pro), delivering deeper blacks, higher contrast, richer colors, better power efficiency, and improved viewing angles compared with current mini-LED LCDs.
Touch support is positioned as a secondary input method alongside the keyboard and trackpad, not a replacement. macOS is reportedly receiving touch-friendly optimizations (larger targets, adaptive menus) that will also benefit non-touch devices. This reverses long-standing Apple resistance to vertical touchscreens on Macs.
Performance and Other Specs
Contrary to earlier expectations of next-generation silicon, the first MacBook Ultra models are expected to use the existing M5 Pro and M5 Max chips already found in the current MacBook Pro lineup. Apple is reportedly skipping high-end M6 Pro and M6 Max variants to accelerate development of the M7 series (with stronger AI focus); M7 Pro/Max Ultra models are eyed for late 2027 or early 2028.
Built-in cellular connectivity via a next-generation C2 modem has been rumored as a possible option. Battery life could benefit from the more efficient OLED panels and thinner design, though specific figures are unavailable.
Pricing and Positioning
As a new top-tier product with OLED, touch, and a fresh design, the MacBook Ultra is expected to command a premium — potentially 20% or more above current high-end MacBook Pros. Starting prices could begin around or above $2,499 for a 14-inch configuration (higher for 16-inch), making it Apple’s most expensive MacBook to date amid rising memory costs. It is expected to coexist with or sit above the regular MacBook Pro line rather than fully replace it.
MacDailyNews Take: A second-generation MacBook Ultra with M7 Pro and M7 Max chips is already in early testing for a later 2027 timeframe. The “Ultra” branding fits Apple’s expansion of the name across products (alongside Watch Ultra and potential others). These reports could still shift due to supply issues, internal priorities, or testing outcomes. Apple has not officially confirmed any of these details. Expect clearer signals closer to a potential fall event or through further supply-chain updates.
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Apple expands retail footprint and financing options to capture surging iPhone demand in India
Apple is intensifying efforts to convert India’s growing appetite for premium smartphones into higher sales by opening more retail stores and offering expanded financing deals, while simultaneously scaling up local manufacturing.
The company has built a network of Apple Stores across key cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, and Noida, giving customers direct access to products and services in a market long dominated by multi-brand retailers and online platforms. These physical locations allow Apple to showcase the latest iPhone models and provide hands-on experiences that help drive upgrades and first-time purchases.
To address India’s price-sensitive consumers, Apple has broadened financing partnerships. Shoppers can access no-cost EMI options for several months through major banks, instant cashback offers of up to ₹15,000 on select cards, and trade-in programs that reduce the effective cost of new devices, Bloomberg News reports. These tools lower the barrier to entry for devices that often carry higher list prices in India than in the US due to taxes and other factors.
The push comes as Apple’s India business reaches new milestones. Annual sales surpassed $10 billion for the first time in the fiscal year ended March 2026, up from about $9 billion the prior year, with iPhones accounting for the majority of revenue. Market share has expanded significantly: iPhones now represent around 10% of smartphone shipments in some recent periods, a sharp rise from roughly 1.5% a decade earlier—and the company continues to post double-digit growth even amid broader industry softness.
Manufacturing growth underpins both supply reliability and the “Made in India” appeal. Apple now assembles about a quarter of its global iPhones in the country, producing roughly 55 million units in 2025. For the first time, the full iPhone 17 lineup (including base, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max variants, plus related models) was manufactured locally from launch. Contract manufacturers such as Foxconn and Tata Electronics operate large facilities near Chennai and Bengaluru, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and a deepening local supplier base of more than 40 companies making components ranging from batteries to enclosures.
This dual focus on demand-side accessibility and supply-side localization positions India as both a major growth market and a strategic hedge against reliance on China. CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly highlighted the country’s potential, noting strong uptake among first-time Apple customers across iPhones, Macs, and iPads. Analysts point to premiumization trends, improved inventory management, and these retail and financing initiatives as key drivers of the shift from niche status to mainstream relevance.
MacDailyNews Take: While challenges remain (including competition in the mid-premium segment, currency fluctuations, and the need for continued policy support after the original production-linked incentive scheme ended) Apple’s investments signal confidence that Indian consumer desire for iPhones will sustain long-term expansion.
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Siri AI compatibility check: The iPhones, iPads, Macs and Watches that make the cut
Apple’s long-awaited overhaul of its voice assistant, now branded Siri AI, is set to arrive this fall alongside iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS updates, and related system software. The upgraded assistant promises deeper personal context awareness, on-screen understanding, more natural conversations, and the ability to take actions across apps. But there’s a clear hardware cutoff: only devices that already support Apple Intelligence will receive the full experience at launch.
iPhone Models That Make the Cut
Siri AI requires an A17 Pro chip or newer (with sufficient RAM for on-device processing). Supported iPhones include:
• iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max
• iPhone Air
• iPhone 17 and 17e
• iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
• iPhone 16, 16 Plus, and 16e
• iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
Older models, including the standard iPhone 15 and anything earlier, will get the broader iOS 27 update (interface changes, security fixes, and non-AI features), but miss out on the new Siri capabilities.
A subset of these devices — primarily the iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max, and iPhone Air — will also unlock Apple’s most powerful on-device AI model. That unlocks extras such as more expressive customizable voices, improved speech recognition, and higher-accuracy dictation.
iPads, Macs, Watches, and Vision Pro
Compatibility extends across the rest of the ecosystem with similar requirements:iPad: iPad Pro (M1 chip and later), iPad Air (M1 and later), and iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip.
• Mac: All models with Apple silicon (M1 and later), including the MacBook Neo with its A18 Pro chip.
• Apple Watch (must be paired with a nearby supported iPhone): Series 9 and later, Ultra 2 and later, and SE (3rd generation).
• Apple Vision Pro: All models.
The highest-tier on-device model is further restricted on tablets and computers to those with newer chips (M4 or later on iPad, M3 or later on Mac) plus at least 12 GB of unified memory.
Timeline and Limitations
Developer betas began around the June 2026 WWDC announcements, with a public beta expected in the following months and a stable consumer release targeted for fall 2026 (September timeframe). Siri AI will initially roll out in English (with Spanish support also noted in some documentation), and regional restrictions apply: it will not launch at the outset on iOS or iPadOS in the European Union due to regulatory considerations around the Digital Markets Act, though macOS and visionOS users in the EU will be able to access it. Availability in China is also delayed pending regulatory clearance.
Those without supported hardware will keep the classic Siri experience for now while still receiving the rest of the 2026 software updates. Apple continues to emphasize on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute for privacy, so the hardware bar reflects the computational demands of the more capable models.
MacDailyNews Note: More info about Apple Intelligence and Siri here.
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Return of Apple TV’s ‘Ted Lasso’ after three-year break feels pointless and cynical – The Independent
“Ted Lasso” is back for a fourth season on Apple TV after a three-year hiatus, but does the feel-good football comedy still have its magic?
The Independent’s review takes a critical look at the return, arguing that the new series—centered on Ted coaching AFC Richmond’s women’s team—feels largely unnecessary and commercially driven, recycling familiar beats while struggling to match the charm and heart of the series’ first two seasons.
Nick Hilton for The Independent:
Several much-loved characters have departed the series (Mohammed’s Nate, Phil Dunster’s Jamie Tartt, most of the men’s team players, and, of course, the late Anthony Head as Rebecca’s nemesis Rupert), which means an influx of new faces to replace them…
Despite all this upheaval, the show’s creator, Bill Lawrence, and key cast do a good job of making it still feel like Ted Lasso. But it also feels pointless. And cynical. “Last time I hired you for all the wrong reasons,” Rebecca tells Ted, and she approaches him for the new gig. “This time I absolutely want to hire you for all the right ones.” But even though there is an attempt at some broad feminist commentary and critique… it really feels like the show has wasted the earned conclusion of its arc in pursuit of more episodes, more revenue, more Emmys. Sudeikis continues to be charming, [Juno] Temple is a highlight as the mischievous Keeley, and [Tanya] Reynolds brings plenty of new deadpan charisma – yet the return, after three years, feels a bit flat…
The acting, while effective, is often hamstrung by sentimentalism, which pushes it into hammy (and a painfully stilted Jill Scott cameo makes Chris Powell look like Laurence Olivier). And while the show has always been gently amusing rather than laugh-out-loud funny, this new series does feel acutely short of gags…
The show was about bringing some… touchy-feely shmaltz and exposing it to the rough winds of Premier League football. Can you be an eternal optimist on a cold, rainy night in Stoke? Having answered that question, the show has nowhere to go but limp on like an ageing striker whose powers are fading before their eyes.
MacDailyNews Take: Cue the sad trombone.
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China’s CXMT rejects Apple’s price-cut demands for DRAM, boosting Samsung and SK Hynix’s pricing power amid global shortage
In a striking reversal of traditional supply-chain dynamics, China’s ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) has rebuffed Apple’s requests for lower prices on mobile DRAM, according to industry reports. The move underscores a severe shortage in general-purpose memory chips and hands greater negotiation leverage to South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
Apple had been exploring CXMT as a potential new supplier of LPDDR5X and other mobile DRAM for upcoming iPhones and smart devices, aiming to ease manufacturing cost pressures amid soaring memory prices. Sources indicate the iPhone maker sought further price reductions during negotiations. CXMT refused, instead holding firm at levels matching or even exceeding those charged by Samsung and SK Hynix.
The Chinese manufacturer’s bold stance stems from robust domestic demand. Companies such as Huawei and Xiaomi have locked in large volumes of CXMT’s DRAM through high-priced, long-term contracts. This push for supply-chain self-reliance has been intensified by ongoing U.S. semiconductor restrictions on China. With strong local orders secured, CXMT has little incentive to accommodate Apple’s stricter quality requirements or discount demands.
The episode highlights a broader market shift. Major memory producers have redirected significant wafer capacity toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM) to meet surging demand from AI servers and accelerators. This has sharply reduced output of conventional DRAM products like DDR5 and LPDDR5X, triggering a pronounced shortage—sometimes called “memflation” — and rapid price increases across the sector.Big tech firms that once used Chinese low-cost alternatives as leverage in annual pricing talks with primary suppliers now find that strategy ineffective. The low-cost “bypass” route has effectively closed, transferring pricing power from device makers to memory manufacturers.
For Samsung and SK Hynix, the developments create a favorable cycle. CXMT’s absorption of substantial Chinese commodity DRAM demand relieves the Korean firms of pressure to supply lower-margin general-purpose chips. They can instead prioritize higher-value AI memory products, including HBM4, LPCAMM2, and enterprise SSDs. Industry observers note that this positions the Korean companies with stronger control over global pricing in negotiations with major customers in the second half of the year.
One semiconductor industry source described the situation as unusual: CXMT is effectively supporting a floor under general DRAM prices while Samsung and SK Hynix consolidate leadership in premium AI memory. As a result, the Korean firms’ operating margins and market influence are expected to strengthen further.
Earlier this year, Apple had lobbied the U.S. government for clearer approval to source from CXMT, which appears on a Pentagon list of companies with alleged Chinese military ties. Memory cost pressures had already prompted Apple to raise prices on some Mac and iPad models. The latest reports suggest any potential deal with CXMT would not deliver the hoped-for cost savings.
MacDailyNews Take: The memory shortage is widely expected to persist well into 2027 and possibly beyond, as new fab capacity takes years to come online and AI-related demand continues to outpace supply growth. In this environment, the balance of power in the DRAM market has tilted decisively toward suppliers, particularly those focused on advanced, high-margin products.
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Apple offers refurbished MacBook Neo laptops with $100 discount
Apple is selling its most affordable laptop, the MacBook Neo, at its pre-price-hike price through the company’s refurbished store. All four color options are currently available and discounted.
The base 256GB model is listed for $599 (usually $699 when new), while the upgraded version with 512GB of storage and Touch ID sells for $679 (usually $799). The refurbished laptops come with a one-year manufacturer warranty, and buyers have the option to purchase an extended AppleCare plan.
The MacBook Neo features a 13-inch display and is powered by Apple’s A18 Pro chip—the same processor used in the iPhone 16 Pro—along with 8GB of RAM. Apple’s entry-level Mac laptop offers strong performance for everyday tasks, with an excellent screen, keyboard, and speakers.
While power users may feel limited by the 8GB of memory and relatively slow storage, it’s a solid choice for students, casual users, and anyone who doesn’t need demanding desktop apps.
Its A18 Pro chip (the same processor found in the iPhone 16 Pro) delivers smooth everyday performance for browsing, streaming, writing papers, online classes, video calls, and light multitasking. The excellent screen, comfortable keyboard, and strong speakers make long study or work sessions more pleasant, while the 13-inch form factor keeps it portable and easy to carry between classes or around the house.
With 8GB of memory and relatively modest storage speeds, it isn’t ideal for power users running heavy video editing, complex coding environments, or multiple intensive apps at once. But for high school or college students, it strikes a smart balance of capability, build quality, and affordability, especially at the current refurbished prices.
MacDailyNews Take: Check out all of the MacBook Neo – and all of Apple’s other refurbished hardware (it’s the best in the business) – via Apple’s Certified Refurbished store here.
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Apple boosts trade-in values across most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models
Apple has updated its trade-in program, raising credit values for the majority of its iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with some devices seeing increases of nearly 30 percent. The company also expanded the list of eligible Android phones, adding several Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and OnePlus devices.
The adjustments, reflected on Apple’s trade-in page as of August 6, 2026, apply to “up to” amounts that can vary based on a device’s condition, year, and configuration. Not all devices qualify for credit.
Among iPhones, the iPhone 16 Pro jumped from $560 to $630, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max rose from $695 to $720. Older models also saw gains: the iPhone 15 Pro Max increased to $530 from $490, the iPhone 14 Pro Max to $405 from $375, and the iPhone 13 Pro to $285 from $260. Some entry-level or older devices, such as the iPhone 16e and iPhone X, remained unchanged.
Apple Watch trade-in values improved modestly for several models. The Series 10 rose to $165 from $150, the Series 9 to $135 from $130, and the Series 8 to $95 from $90. The Ultra 2 and Ultra held steady at $305 and $205, respectively.
On the tablet side, the iPad Pro increased to $720 from $690, the iPad Air to $490 from $460, the standard iPad to $260 from $235, and the iPad mini to $300 from $265.
Macs posted some of the more significant jumps. The MacBook Pro climbed to $855 from $690, the Mac mini to $480 from $375, the Mac Studio to $1,305 from $1,045, and the Mac Pro to $2,195 from $2,045. The MacBook Air rose to $580 from $520, while the iMac increased to $380 from $355.
Apple also refreshed its Android trade-in offerings. Newly added models include the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at up to $315, Pixel 9 Pro at $305, Pixel 9 at $210, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G at $95, OnePlus 13 at $250, and OnePlus 13R at $165. A few existing Android values shifted slightly up or down.
MacDailyNews Note: Customers interested in trading in devices can check current estimates and eligibility on Apple’s official trade-in page. Values remain subject to inspection and final assessment.
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How Apple and India built an alternative iPhone production hub
A yearslong partnership between Indian policymakers and electronics manufacturers has shifted supply chains away from China, according to Bloomberg News.
Each day, more than 150 white buses fan out on the black tar roads that run through the outskirts of the Indian city of Chennai, ferrying workers to a factory run by the Taiwanese manufacturing giant Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn. Although calling the facility a factory doesn’t quite do it justice. It’s a 160-acre fortress lined with assembly shop floors, testing and storage rooms, nine hostel towers, huge parking bays, and a power station. Roughly 40,000 employees work through three shifts, under the strict watch of almost 700 security guards, making iPhones.
About 30 kilometers (19 miles) away stands another iPhone assembly facility, this one run by Pegatron Corp., now controlled by the Tata Group. There, about 10,000 people, most of them women, work in an equally disciplined environment.
The development forms part of Apple’s broader effort to build production capacity in India as a hedge against risks concentrated in China, Bloomberg News reports in its August 5, 2026, feature.
MacDailyNews Take: Clearly, it’s very important for Apple to not have all of their eggs in one basket – especially one owned by the CCP. The sky’s the limit for Apple in India!
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OpenAI seeks dismissal of Apple’s trade secrets lawsuit
According to a Reuters report today, OpenAI filed a motion on Wednesday seeking dismissal of Apple’s complaint. Apple had sued OpenAI and two former Apple employees, alleging trade-secret theft aimed at helping OpenAI expand into consumer hardware.
OpenAI’s lawyers stated: “OpenAI has no use, need or desire for Apple’s trade secrets. OpenAI is building something entirely new and different from anything at Apple.” They argued that Apple’s complaint fails to sufficiently describe the claimed trade secrets (calling the generalized product-development categories inadequate), does not show ownership of a protectable trade secret, and does not plausibly allege misappropriation. The filing also said Apple should not be allowed to use a “baseless and pretextual lawsuit” to offset difficulties retaining talent or integrating AI into its products.
Apple’s earlier complaint (filed in July) claimed OpenAI systematically obtained and used confidential information via former employees, recruiting practices, and supplier relationships to speed up its consumer-hardware plans. The dispute centers on competition for future AI devices that may not rely on traditional apps or operating systems and could draw attention away from the iPhone; analysts believe OpenAI is developing a phone or similar device.
The two companies still maintain a partnership that lets Apple users access ChatGPT through Siri and sign up for ChatGPT memberships via iOS settings. Apple did not immediately comment on the motion.
MacDailyNews Take: The usual legal wrangling. We highly doubt the case will be summarily dismissed.
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Can new CEO John Ternus bring back Apple’s design mojo?
As Tim Cook hands the reins to hardware engineering chief John Ternus in September 2026, the company faces its biggest leadership transition in 15 years. While Cook’s tenure delivered massive revenue growth and operational excellence, many former employees and analysts say Apple has lost the product-first, risk-taking design culture that defined the Jobs years. Fortune explores whether Ternus can shift the company from steady iteration back to true innovation.
Sebastian Herrera for Fortune:
Matthew Rogers remembers Apple’s scrappy days when, as an engineer fresh out of college, he could debate ideas directly with Steve Jobs… “I was 23, 24 years old, and I interacted with Steve Jobs. That’s crazy, right? But that’s the organization he ran,” Rogers told Fortune from his Silicon Valley office (he now runs food-recycling startup Mill).
Back then, Apple’s hierarchy was much flatter. What made Apple special, he said, is that Jobs surrounded himself with consumer-minded product leaders who were expected to argue. The mandate was to build “the best thing out there” and take real risks. Some of Apple’s most iconic products came out of a skunkworks team across the street from the main office.
That much-mythologized era continues to shape — and perhaps burden — Apple as it navigates its biggest leadership transition in 15 years. Somewhere along the way, Apple lost a part of its design and product magic, Rogers and several former design and hardware employees, investors, and analysts said. The September handoff from Tim Cook to incoming chief executive John Ternus, who currently leads hardware engineering, has Rogers and other longtime Apple watchers wondering: Can the company reclaim its product-first soul?
Rogers, who also cocreated smart home company Nest with former Apple executive Tony Fadell, said Ternus now faces a defining test. “I’ll put it this way,” he said. “He has a tall task, but a big opportunity.”
MacDailyNews Take: As we posted on X just yesterday:
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.
Fingers crossed!
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Apple’s CarPlay is coming to Crest and Balise pontoon boats
MasterCraft Boat Holdings has announced that it is adding Apple CarPlay to its upcoming Crest and Balise pontoon boats, MacRumors reports. The company is partnering with Savvy Navvy to bring CarPlay and on-water navigation to boaters.
Boaters who purchase select 2027 Crest or Balise pontoons will gain access to CarPlay, offering many of the same features available in cars. The Savvy Navvy mobile app will integrate with CarPlay to display nautical charts, GPS tracking, smart routing, and live weather forecasts alongside other CarPlay apps.
Savvy Navvy will provide specialized water navigation—a feature not available through the Apple Maps CarPlay integration.
“Boaters have been asking for a modern infotainment system for years,” says Jelte Liebrand, Founder and CEO of Savvy Navvy. “Plan your trip on the couch, step aboard, and it is already at the helm. No complicated ways to synchronise things; it just works. Savvy Navvy for CarPlay works on iOS and Android with any compatible display. I’m thrilled to see Crest and Balise put CarPlay in front of their boaters.”
Starting with the 2027 model year, Apple CarPlay with Savvy Navvy will come standard on all new Balise and Crest Conquest and Caribbean models. A limited Savvy Navvy Premium subscription is included.The Savvy Navvy app is available for CarPlay worldwide starting today and works with any compatible CarPlay display, including aftermarket marine head units.
MacDailyNews Take: BoatPlay.
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Apple’s Q3 iPhone sales crush expectations — and even better than they seem
Apple’s fiscal third-quarter iPhone revenue hit $54.25 billion, surging nearly 22% and beating Wall Street forecasts. Behind the headline number, independent shipment data reveals the company also delivered standout unit growth and higher average selling prices—proving the iPhone business is performing even better than the official figures suggest.
James Brumley for The Motley Fool:
According to IDC, Apple was only one of two major names in the smartphone business to defy the overall 6.7% year-over-year decline in total smartphone shipments during the second calendar quarter of this year. The other one was Samsung, which experienced an 8.1% year-over-year increase in total unit shipments. Apple handily outpaced that growth rate, though, with its 15.3% year-over-year improvement in iPhone shipments, again as reported by IDC.
There are a couple of important takeaways for investors quietly buried in this data. The first is that, while the company itself didn’t report it, the relative changes in reported revenue and unit shipments indicate that Apple is asking — and getting — a higher average selling price (ASP) for its current slate of iPhones. And not for the first time.
This is the second quarter in a row that IDC reported Apple had defied a broad drop in demand for smartphones by achieving the industry’s highest year-over-year increase in unit shipments, which again was also outpaced by Apple’s reported iPhone revenue growth (of nearly 22% in the previously reported quarter).
Connect the dots. After a slow start, the demand for newer iPhones that the launch of Apple Intelligence was supposed to generate back in 2025 is finally taking hold.
MacDailyNews Take: Al of this, just before Apple is set to unveil the next generation of its indomitable iPhone!
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Telegram CEO accuses ‘takedown extortionist’ of manipulating Apple into brief App Store removal
Apple briefly removed Telegram from its App Store late on Monday after detecting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in a public group. The messaging app was restored within about 40 minutes once Telegram deleted the content and banned the responsible user. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov later described the incident as the work of a “takedown extortionist” who deliberately planted AI-modified illegal content to trigger the removal and pressure online communities.
According to Durov’s statement on X (see below), the attacker edited an old message in an active public group chat to insert the prohibited material. Because the edit was backdated, the content remained effectively invisible to ordinary group members, limiting their ability to report it through normal channels and helping it evade some of Telegram’s automated moderation tools. The perpetrator then reportedly flagged the material directly to Apple.
Durov characterized the actor as a takedown extortionist—someone who demands payment from group owners in exchange for not targeting their communities. These operators, he said, rely on automated accounts to seed illegal material in public groups and then report it to platform gatekeepers such as Apple in an effort to force the removal of legitimate communities whose administrators refuse to pay.
“From a practical standpoint, illegal pornographic content in Telegram’s public groups is not a systemic problem,” Durov wrote. “Our moderation is effective. The fact that attackers must resort to backdated, effectively invisible content and other technical tricks proves this.” He emphasized that Telegram routinely removes illegal material from public groups using a range of moderation tools.
Apple confirmed that a content review had identified CSAM that violated App Store guidelines. The company stated that Telegram “promptly removed the content and banned the user,” after which the app was returned to the store. Apple has not publicly addressed Durov’s claim that an extortionist manipulated the process. Durov noted that Apple pulled Telegram before contacting the company.
Durov framed the episode as a warning for other developers. “Extortionists have found a way to manipulate Apple into overreacting,” he said. “This creates a potential systemic risk for every mobile app that hosts user-generated content. If an app used by more than a billion people can be removed from the App Store without prior warning, any app can be.” He also cautioned that the tactics used by such coordinated reporting groups are evolving and that other platforms may be less prepared to identify and counter them.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between large platforms that host user-generated content, the moderation challenges they face, and the policies of mobile app marketplaces that can unilaterally restrict distribution. Telegram continues to operate normally on iOS following the short-lived removal.
Last night Apple briefly removed Telegram from the AppStore because a user had planted illegal porn in a public chat.
Telegram was restored within hours. But I want to explain what happened — to warn other app developers and help protect online communities from similar attacks.
Because Telegram quickly removes illegal content from public groups using all kinds of moderation tools, the attacker had to resort to a technical trick. He inserted AI-modified illegal content by editing an old message in an active group chat. As a result the content was effectively hidden from the group’s members, preventing them from seeing/reporting it.
The attacker was a takedown extortionist: someone who demands ransom from group owners in exchange for not targeting their communities. These extortionists use automated accounts to plant illegal content in public groups and then report it directly to Apple, attempting to trigger the removal of legitimate communities whose owners refused to pay them.
From a practical standpoint, illegal pornographic content in Telegram’s public groups is not a systemic problem. Our moderation is effective. The fact that attackers must resort to backdated, effectively invisible content and other technical tricks proves this.
However, there are two important lessons here for app developers and online communities:
— Extortionists have found a way to manipulate Apple into overreacting. Apple removed Telegram from the App Store before contacting us. This creates a potential systemic risk for every mobile app that hosts user-generated content. If an app used by more than a billion people can be removed from the App Store without prior warning, any app can be.
— The tactics used by takedown extortionists are evolving, putting communities across social platforms at risk. Telegram has extensive experience identifying the tricks used by coordinated reporting gangs and protecting legitimate communities (even when doing so risks our own app being temporarily removed from the App Store). Other platforms may not be equally prepared.
Stay vigilant!
MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s App Store really is one of history’s most profitable cans of worms.
It’s an astonishing money machine: the broader App Store ecosystem facilitated over $1.4 trillion in developer billings and sales in 2025 alone. Physical goods and services (retail, food delivery, travel, etc.) made up the bulk (~$1.1 trillion), where Apple takes no commission. Digital goods and services accounted for about $149 billion, and in-app advertising another $151 billion. On the digital slice Apple typically charges 15–30%, generating many billions in high-margin revenue that helps power its Services business.
Yet the same walld garden that produces those results is a perpetual source of headaches. Apple’s near-total control over iOS distribution and payments has fueled years of antitrust battles — Epic Games, the U.S. DOJ, EU Digital Markets Act enforcement, court findings of non-compliance, and ongoing developer lawsuits. Critics call the commission the “Apple Tax,” complain about arbitrary review decisions, limited sideloading or alternative stores (outside certain regulated markets), and the risk that a single content flag can yank a major app offline without warning.
The recent Telegram episode fits the pattern perfectly. A brief App Store removal triggered by planted illegal content (which Telegram says was the work of a takedown extortionist) showed how Apple’s gatekeeper power can be gamed or lead to rapid, high-stakes reactions.
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