Apple News
Apple taps American Airlines veteran Nate Gatten to head government affairs
Apple has hired Nate Gatten, a longtime American Airlines Group executive, as its new vice president of government affairs, according to a Bloomberg News report.
Gatten will start in the role on August 31st, Apple Senior Vice President and General Counsel Jennifer Newstead said in an internal memo viewed by Bloomberg News. Kate Adams, the previous legal chief who had been serving as senior vice president of government affairs, will stay on in an advisory capacity until October 1st.
The hire comes as Apple navigates complex regulatory, antitrust, trade, and policy challenges. Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that the company specifically sought someone who could align with the Trump administration. Gatten, a Republican, is expected to work closely with Tim Cook in the position.
Gatten joined American Airlines in 2017 as senior vice president of global government affairs and more recently served as executive vice president overseeing American Eagle, corporate real estate, and government affairs. He previously led global government relations at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he represented the bank before Congress, the White House, and international bodies. Earlier roles included positions at Fannie Mae focused on Republican members of Congress and work for Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah) and the Senate Banking Committee.
His real estate experience may also prove useful as Apple continues expanding its retail presence and other operations. American Airlines announced his departure around the same time as the Apple news.
The appointment occurs amid broader leadership changes at Apple. Cook is scheduled to step down as CEO on September 1st, with hardware chief John Ternus taking over; Cook will remain as executive chairman and is expected to continue engaging with policymakers worldwide.
Until last year, Lisa Jackson had led government affairs alongside environmental, policy, and social initiatives after joining from the Obama administration’s EPA.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s decision to bring in a seasoned government-affairs professional with deep experience navigating complex regulatory environments and bipartisan Washington relationships marks a thoughtful evolution of the role. Versus previous leadership, the current appointment prioritizes specialized expertise tailored to today’s multifaceted challenges in trade, antitrust, and international relations. By hiring Gatten, Apple has taken a measured and strategic step forward.
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iPhone 18 Pro: Apple locks in steep OLED price cuts as memory costs climb
Apple is intensifying pressure on Samsung Display and LG Display to slash prices for OLED panels destined for the iPhone 18 series, forcing the Korean suppliers into a sharper contest over manufacturing costs even as technical requirements rise.
According to industry sources, Apple has demanded significantly lower supply prices for iPhone 18 OLED panels compared with the previous generation. Panels for last year’s iPhone 17 Pro Max were priced in the range of about $110–120. For the equivalent model this year, the figure has fallen to roughly $68 — nearly half the prior level.
The push for lower display costs stems from surging memory-semiconductor prices. Strong demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and server DRAM driven by AI data centers has lifted prices for mobile memory as well. Smartphone makers find it difficult to pass the full increase through to finished-device prices, so they are seeking offsets in other components such as displays and camera modules.
Samsung Display and LG Display must therefore meet Apple’s lower price targets while trying to protect their own margins. Although iPhone OLED panels incorporate increasingly advanced technology, selling prices are declining, shifting competition beyond pure technical capability toward the ability to cut production costs.
One industry source noted that semiconductor price rises appear to be tempering production-volume growth among smartphone makers, including Apple, and that customers under cost pressure are in turn demanding lower prices from their suppliers.
Reports indicate both Korean panel makers have already reduced prices. LG Display’s panels had typically commanded a $1–2 premium over Samsung Display’s; the two companies are now said to be supplying at similar levels.
Adding to the strain is the rising technical complexity of the panels themselves. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to adopt an improved “LTPO Plus” technology that offers better power efficiency than conventional low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) backplanes. Higher manufacturing difficulty and costs coincide with customer demands for lower selling prices, leaving suppliers with little choice but to accept the reductions.
“Panel prices have already fallen so far that further cuts are difficult,” one source told Korean language DealSite. “As the technology level rises, panel makers would normally expect higher prices, but in practice they have no option but to accommodate Apple’s requests.”
Industry observers say the ability to reduce costs is becoming an even more decisive factor in profitability. An equipment-industry executive observed that while Samsung Display and LG Display continue to develop new technologies, cost competition has grown more important. Advances in OLED make meaningful differentiation harder for consumers to notice, yet customers’ price-reduction demands keep intensifying.
The result is a market in which technological progress and relentless cost pressure now run in parallel for Apple’s two main OLED suppliers.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple make be able to keep iPhone prices in a decent range for the iPhone 18 cycle, despite RAMageddon.
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Apple TV unveils trailer for season five of award-winning series ‘Stillwater’
Apple TV debuted the official trailer for the fifth season of the beloved animated kids and family series “Stillwater.” The Peabody and Daytime Emmy Award-winning series returns with five episodes on Friday, August 21, 2026. Based on the bestselling Scholastic “Zen” book series by Jon J Muth, “Stillwater” follows a wise panda who teaches three young siblings about the world and each other. The series centers on siblings Karl (Judah Mackey), Addy (Eva Ariel Binder) and Michael (Tucker Chandler), who encounter everyday challenges — big and small — which sometimes feel insurmountable. Fortunately for the three siblings, they have Stillwater (James Sie), a wise panda, as their next-door neighbor. Through his example, stories and gentle humor, Stillwater teaches the children the concept of mindfulness while offering them a deeper understanding of their feelings and tools to help them face their own day-to-day challenges. “Stillwater” is produced for Apple TV by Gaumont and Scholastic Entertainment.
Take a deep breath and embrace your inner peace by embarking on a fun adventure with the first four seasons of “Stillwater,” available on Apple TV. Through breathing exercises, mindful moments and simple everyday practices, this uplifting series invites you and your family to discover your own zen through each episode. “Stillwater” is produced through Apple TV’s changemakers initiative in collaboration with awareness and intention expert Mallika Chopra, author of “Buddha and the Rose” and the “Just Be” series for kids.
Gaumont and Scholastic Entertainment produce, with Sidonie Dumas, Nicolas Atlan, Terry Kalagian, Iole Lucchese, Caitlin Friedman, Jef Kaminsky, Jun Falkenstein and Rob Hoegee serving as executive producers.
The first four seasons of “Stillwater” are available to stream now on Apple TV.
The exciting slate of recent offerings for kids and families on Apple TV also features “My Brother the Minotaur,” from Academy Award-nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon and award-winning children’s media company Dog Ears; “Wonder Pets: In the City,” from Emmy Award winner Jennifer Oxley and produced by Nickelodeon Animation; animated adventure trilogy “WondLa,” based on the New York Times bestselling book series “The Search for WondLa” by Tony DiTerlizzi; highly anticipated kids and family series “Yo Gabba GabbaLand!” inspired by the hit, Emmy Award-nominated cultural phenomenon “Yo Gabba Gabba!”; season two of Emmy Award-winning “Shape Island,” based on the internationally bestselling picture books from Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen; animated fantasy adventure series “The Sisters Grimm,” based on Michael Buckley’s New York Times bestselling book series; the music-driven animated comedy series “BE@RBRICK” from DreamWorks Animation; “Goldie,” inspired by Emily Brundige’s award-winning 2019 short film of the same name, and many more.
Award-winning all-ages offerings now streaming globally on Apple TV also include the BAFTA Award and Emmy Award-winning live-action animated hybrid special “The Velveteen Rabbit,” BAFTA Award and Humanitas Prize-winning “El Deafo,” BAFTA Award-winning “Lovely Little Farm,” “Duck & Goose,” “Get Rolling With Otis,” Spin Master Entertainment’s “Sago Mini Friends,” Emmy Award-winning “Frog and Toad,” based on the Caldecott and Newbery Honor-winning books, Annie Award-nominated “Not a Box,” GLAAD Media Award-nominated “Pinecone & Pony,” The Jim Henson Company’s Emmy Award-winning “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock,” “Harriet the Spy” and “Slumberkins,” Sesame Workshop’s “Helpsters,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt, HITRECORD and Bento Box Entertainment’s “Wolfboy and the Everything Factory,” Jack McBrayer and Angela C. Santomero’s Emmy Award-nominated “Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show.” Live-action offerings include “Me,” an elevated, cinematic coming-of-age story from Barry L. Levy, Bonnie Hunt’s DGA and WGA Award-nominated “Amber Brown,” DGA Award-winning “Best Foot Forward,” “Surfside Girls,” WGA Award-winning “Life by Ella,” Sesame Workshop and Sinking Ship’s Emmy Award-winning “Ghostwriter,” Emmy Award and Environmental Media Association Award-winning “Jane,” and Scholastic’s “Puppy Place.” “Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth,” the Emmy Award-winning television event based on the New York Times bestselling book and TIME Best Book of the Year by Oliver Jeffers, is also featured.
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 859 wins and 3,816 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 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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iPhone 18 could get Pro-level upgrades including more memory and Dynamic Island changes
While tech enthusiasts are gearing up for Apple’s annual September launch event featuring the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra, consumers waiting for the entry-level flagships will have to hold out a bit longer. According to a research note by tech analyst Jeff Pu, the standard iPhone 18 isn’t expected to arrive until early 2027, but when it does, it could bring two major hardware enhancements previously earmarked for high-end models.
1. A Jump to 12GB Memory for On-Device Intelligence
One of the most notable specs highlighted in Pu’s report is a bump in system memory. The base iPhone 18 is expected to feature 12GB of memory, up from the 8GB found in the iPhone 17 series.
Why it matters: Extra memory is critical for supporting memory-heavy Apple Intelligence capabilities and running larger local AI models smoothly.
Lineup differentiation: While analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously suggested the non-Pro lineup might cap at 9GB, Pu clarifies that 9GB is slated for the budget iPhone 18e, while the standard iPhone 18 gets the full 12GB upgrade—despite both sharing the next-generation A20 chip.
2. Fast-Tracked Dynamic Island Redesign
Apple usually reserves display redesigns for its Pro tier before letting them trickledown a generation or two later. When the Dynamic Island originally launched on the iPhone 14 Pro, standard models had to wait until the iPhone 15 to receive it.
This time, Apple appears to be accelerating the transition. The smaller, refined Dynamic Island expected to debut on the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026 is projected to land on the base iPhone 18 just months later in early 2027.
Release Timeline
Apple’s staggered hardware strategy means the lineup will roll out across two distinct phases:
• Fall 2026: iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra.
• Early 2027: Base iPhone 18, entry-level iPhone 18e, and the second-generation iPhone Air 2.
By closing the performance gap with 12GB memory and matching the fresh screen layout, Apple aims to keep the standard iPhone 18 highly competitive for buyers who don’t need the advanced camera setups of the Pro lineup.
MacDailyNews Note: The information comes from Jeff Pu’s supply-chain insights, as reported by 9to5Mac. As with most early rumors, the details remain unconfirmed and subject to change.
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Apple’s foldable iPhone referred to as ‘Ultra’ internally – Mark Gurman
Apple employees widely call the company’s upcoming foldable iPhone the “Ultra” internally, according to Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Gurman responded to ongoing debate about the device’s eventual marketing name: “Everyone calls it the Ultra internally. We’ll see what happens.”
Everyone calls it the Ultra internally. We’ll see what happens.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) August 11, 2026
The comment came amid speculation that Apple could brand its first foldable smartphone the iPhone Ultra rather than the more descriptive “iPhone Fold” that has dominated early coverage. Rumors of an Ultra designation have circulated for months, aligning with Apple’s existing use of the name for premium products such as the Apple Watch Ultra.
Of course, Gurman’s remark does not confirm the final public name. Apple is highly secretive, and internal shorthand does not always match the branding chosen by marketing teams. Some observers have questioned whether “Ultra” fits a device that, according to earlier reports, may forgo Face ID in favor of Touch ID and carry fewer rear cameras than the top Pro models.
The foldable is widely expected to debut at Apple’s September event alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. According to Gurman’s recent Power On newsletter, the company is preparing to show roughly eight new products at the event, with the foldable among the highlights. The book-style device is rumored to feature a large inner display (around 7.8 inches) and a cover screen (around 5.5 inches), with a price expected to start at or above $2,000.
Apple has already begun planning follow-on versions, including a second-generation model for 2027 and a third with slightly larger displays as early as 2028, underscoring the company’s confidence in the category.
MacDailyNews Take: Whether “Ultra” sticks as the official name remains to be seen when Apple takes the stage next month. For now, Gurman’s update reinforces that the moniker is already common parlance inside Cupertino.
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Apple assembler Foxconn reports 35% rise in second-quarter profit
Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer, reported a sharp rise in second-quarter profit on Wednesday, driven by robust demand for artificial intelligence hardware. The results surpassed analyst forecasts and reinforced the company’s outlook for continued growth this year.
Net profit for the April–June period climbed 35% to NT$59.97 billion (about US$1.86 billion). That figure beat the LSEG consensus estimate of NT$58.8 billion and compared with NT$44.4 billion in the same quarter a year earlier. Foxconn is Nvidia’s largest server maker and Apple’s primary iPhone assembler.
In its earnings release, the company — formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry — reaffirmed its earlier guidance of “strong” revenue growth for the full year. It highlighted sustained AI demand as a key driver throughout 2026. Foxconn does not provide specific numerical forecasts.
The profit surge follows a July report showing second-quarter revenue jumped 40% year-on-year. Most iPhones destined for the U.S. market are now assembled in India rather than China, while Foxconn continues to expand manufacturing capacity for AI servers, including new facilities in Mexico and Texas for Nvidia. The company is also pursuing opportunities in electric vehicles.
Foxconn shares have gained about 17% so far this year, trailing the broader Taiwan stock index’s 57% advance. The stock closed 2.7% higher on Wednesday ahead of the results announcement.
MacDailyNews Take: AI-related demand continues to reshape the fortunes of major electronics contract manufacturers, even as traditional consumer electronics face more mixed conditions.
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Apple eyes screenless wearable to challenge Whoop and Oura
As screenless fitness trackers surge in popularity, Apple is reportedly exploring its own version—potentially a display-free band or ring-style device — to expand beyond the traditional Apple Watch. With rivals like Whoop, Fitbit Air, and Garmin Cirqa gaining traction, and Apple execs noting the competitive edge of recovery-focused wearables, the company may finally branch into new form factors while still planning modest Watch upgrades this September.
Alex Lee for The Independent:
The company is reportedly looking at developing new wearable devices without a screen, as well as experimenting with different types of displays and various sizes. This could mean the development of fitness trackers similar to Whoop, as well as smart rings like the Oura ring.
Bloomberg also reports that Apple is even looking at producing premium models beyond the Apple Watch Ultra, as well as cheaper models that could sit below the Apple Watch SE.
Eddy Cue, who took over supervision of Apple’s health and fitness software divisions last year, is apparently a big fan of Whoop and Oura, with Cue reportedly telling colleagues that Apple needs to move faster and be more competitive in health, with Oura and Whoop offering more compelling. Useful features.
Still, the Apple Watch is still as popular as ever. Sales of the Apple Watch reportedly jumped 21 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, and the company is set to launch an Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 in September…
MacDailyNews Take: Whoop, especially, makes a very nice product.
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Apple sued for fraud over iCloud Private Relay flaw that leaks users’ real IP addresses
Apple is facing a new class action lawsuit alleging fraud, false advertising, and misrepresentation related to a recently disclosed vulnerability in its iCloud Private Relay feature.
According to 9to5Mac, security researchers revealed last week that iCloud Private Relay — a privacy tool meant to hide users’ real IP addresses from websites when browsing in Safari — often fails to do so. The feature routes traffic through two relays so that a user’s internet service provider sees only a connection to an Apple server, while the destination website sees only a temporary IP address generated by a third-party relay.
The flaw stems from how passkeys work. When a website supports (or even pretends to support) passkeys, the user’s device makes a web request outside the browser. That request bypasses Private Relay and can expose the real IP address. Researchers noted that simply claiming passkey support is enough to trigger the leak.
The lawsuit, filed by Clarkson Law Firm (the same firm that previously secured a $250 million settlement related to Apple Intelligence and Siri delays) claims Apple “knew, or should have known” that its marketing representations about Private Relay were “false, misleading, deceptive, and unlawful” when it sold iCloud+ subscriptions.
Tim Giordano, a partner at the firm, described the situation as “an outrageous betrayal of consumer trust,” stating that Apple built its brand on protecting user privacy and that subscribers paid a premium for protection that did not work as advertised, leaving them exposed to the tracking Apple had warned against.
iCloud Private Relay remains available to iCloud+ subscribers as a Safari privacy feature.
MacDailyNews Take: Wholly expected. Get ready for a settlement, eligible iCloud+ subscribers.
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Apple TV debuts trailer for new thriller ‘Last Seen’ starring Patrick Brammall
Apple TV on Tuesday released the trailer for “Last Seen,” a new Australian thriller starring Gotham Award winner Patrick Brammall. Produced by 60Forty Films, the gripping drama is adapted by acclaimed writer and executive producer Kris Mrksa from CWA John Creasey Dagger Award-winning author Ryan David Jahn’s book, “The Dispatcher.” Emmy Award-nominated filmmaker Christian Schwochow directs and executive produces the series, which is entirely set and filmed in Victoria, Australia. “Last Seen” will make its global debut on Wednesday, September 9 with two episodes, followed by a new episode every Wednesday until October 7, 2026.
Police detective Ian Ridley’s (Brammall) life fell apart 11 years ago when his young daughter, Maggie, disappeared without a trace. Now working as a police dispatcher, the only thing that has kept him going is his implacable refusal to accept that she might be gone forever. When he receives a distress call from a teenage girl he is certain is Maggie, he will stop at nothing to find her and reunite his broken family, whatever the cost.
In addition to Brammall (“Colin from Accounts,” “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” “Evil”), the series also stars Maxine Peake (“Say Nothing,” “Black Mirror”), Brendan Cowell (“Dune: Prophecy,” “Plum”), Daniel Henshall (“Mickey 17,” “How to Make Gravy”), Zahra Newman (“Thirteen Lives,” “Addition”), Jessica Wren (“Mr Inbetween,” “Devil’s Playground”), Tobias Muhafidin (“Bali 2002”) and newcomer Chloe Jean Lourdes.
The series is executive produced by Jamie Laurenson and Hakan Kousetta at 60Forty Films (“Hijack,” “Slow Horses,” “Down Cemetery Road”), with executive producers Schwochow (“The Crown,” “Bad Banks,” “Munich: The Edge of War”), Mrksa (“Requiem,” “No Escape,” “The Murders at White House Farm”) and Joanna Werner (“The Newsreader,” “Riot,” “Clickbait”) at Werner Film Productions.
“Last Seen” joins a slate of acclaimed, thrilling dramas on Apple TV, including the high-octane hit “Hijack,” starring and executive produced by SAG and Golden Globe Award winner Idris Elba; beloved multi-BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning “Slow Horses,” led by Academy Award winner Gary Oldman; and the BAFTA Award-nominated “Down Cemetery Road,” starring Academy Award winner Emma Thompson and Golden Globe Award winner Ruth Wilson, among many others.
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 857 wins and 3,816 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 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 Arcade levels up with Block Blast!+ and Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+
Whether gamers are looking for high-octane action or a laid-back afternoon, Apple Arcade has a little bit of everything for every player, and its puzzle catalog is getting a big upgrade. On September 3, two standout new titles join the mix: Block Blast!+ and Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+. Block Blast!+ brings one of the most popular daily puzzle games to Arcade, while the 2025 App Store Award winner for Cultural Impact — Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+ — combines soothing jigsaw-style gameplay with rich storytelling about the natural world.
There’s a reason Block Blast!+ has topped charts around the world: It’s simple to pick up and nearly impossible to put down. The game challenges players to slot blocks onto a grid to clear rows and columns, and chase that perfect combo. On Arcade, players can now enjoy the same blockbusting gameplay completely uninterrupted by ads.
With its calming, meditative gameplay and thoughtfully designed accessibility features, Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+ invites players to piece together stunning nature-inspired artwork at their own pace, unlocking stories about wildlife and conservation along the way. Accessibility features make it as welcoming as it is beautiful, proof that a puzzle game can deliver both a fun challenge and a moment of calm.
Block Blast!+ and Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+ join an impressive lineup of puzzlers already keeping Arcade players endlessly entertained, including Grindstone, Flow Free+, Crossword Jam+, and recent arrivals Everyday Puzzles: Mini Games+ and Water Sort Puzzle: Get Color+. Puzzle fans looking for their next obsession can find even more great picks curated on the Arcade tab.
Slash, dash, and strategize through dungeons and boss battles in Grindstone. Trace, connect, and untangle colorful pipes in Flow Free+. Chase an epic word journey across stunning landscapes in Crossword Jam+. Dive into a hub of logic puzzles, word games, and more in Everyday Puzzles: Mini Games+. Players can sort, swap, and satisfy their inner completionist in Water Sort Puzzle: Get Color+.
Later this month, updates are coming to other popular games beloved by players. On August 12, puffies. adds 28 new packs that include two collections with artwork for Oden Tomodachi and The Knights. Starting on August 20, Simon’s Cat – Blast Time unleashes 200 new levels, rolling out 50 a week for a month of fresh challenges. And on August 26, stitch. celebrates a huge milestone — 800 unique hoops — with a special commemorative hoop and achievement.
puffies. developed by Lykke Studios. Simon’s Cat – Blast Time developed by Tactile Games. stitch. developed by Lykke Studios.
This fall is shaping up to be exciting across the board for Arcade. On September 3, additional games joining the fun include NFL Retro Bowl ’27, which kicks off an epic new season with the high-stakes addition of Gauntlet Mode; Coloring Games for Families+, a magical world of creativity for players of all ages with over 3,000 engaging activities; and Let’s Play! Oink Games+, a digital collection of nine tabletop games — from cooperative missions to bluffing cards — playable solo, with friends, or online.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple Arcade is available for US$6.99 per month with a one-month free trial. Customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV receive three months of Apple Arcade for free.
Apple Arcade is part of Apple One’s Individual ($19.95), Family ($25.95), and Premier ($37.95) plans, with a one-month free trial.
Arcade Originals are playable across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. App Store Greats are available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro.
An Apple Arcade subscription gives a family of up to six unlimited access to all the games in its catalog.
Availability for the 200+ games across devices varies based on hardware and software compatibility. Some content may not be available in all areas.
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Apple TV reteams with Alfonso Cuarón on new series ‘Ascension’
Apple TV has announced that it has picked up “Ascension,” a new drama from multi-Oscar Award winner Alfonso Cuarón (“Disclaimer,” “Roma,” “Gravity”) and starring and executive produced by BAFTA TV Award winner and five-time Golden Globe nominee Caitríona Balfe (“Outlander,” “Belfast”). The series will be co-showrun by Natalie Erika James (“Apartment 7A,” “Relic”) and Christian White (“Apartment 7A,” “Relic”), and is written by James, White, Alfonso Cuarón and Carlos Cuarón. James will also serve as lead director. The project hails from Apple Studios and is executive produced by Alfonso Cuarón under an overall deal with Apple through his production company Esperanto Filmoj and produced by Anonymous Content.
Inspired by the novel “Last Days” by Adam Nevill, “Ascension” is a one-hour psychological horror thriller following Rose, a relentless documentary filmmaker and recently divorced mother who is brilliant at uncovering others’ truths, but struggling to resolve her own. When Rose begins a project on a mysterious 20th-century cult known as the Church of Ascension, she finds unexpected refuge in its teachings — until she discovers something far more insidious beneath. “Ascension” explores evil and innocence at the highest level, while asking how far we’ll go — and what we’ll sacrifice — to protect the ones we love, even when the greatest threat to them may be ourselves.
Apple Studios will serve as the studio, and Esperanto Filmoj’s Gabriela Rodriguez and Richard Schwartz will executive produce alongside Alfonso Cuarón and Carlos Cuarón. Steve Golin, David Levine and Zack Hayden will executive produce for Anonymous Content. Co-showrunners James and White also serve as executive producers.
“Ascension” marks the latest collaboration for Alfonso Cuarón, Anonymous Content, and Apple TV following acclaimed limited series “Disclaimer,” which landed Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG and Critics Choice Award nominations for stars Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline. It also marks the second project for Apple and star Balfe, who is next set to appear in Apple Original Films’ “Tenzing.” Anonymous Content also produces a number of Apple Originals, including the highly anticipated upcoming series “Neuromancer” and “12 12 12.”
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 857 wins and 3,816 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 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 series ‘Las Azules’ Season 2 blends fact and fiction for tale of corruption and growth – Reuters
Mexico’s pioneering all-female police force returns in the second season of the Apple TV series “Las Azules” (“Women in Blue”). Set in the patriarchal Mexico of the 1970s, the new season blends historical fact and fiction as the four officers confront corruption, personal growth, and the lingering shadows of the 1968 Tlatelolco and 1971 Halconazo student massacres.
“It’s a pretty intense season, just talking about it gives me goosebumps.”
The show’s co-creator, writer, director and executive producer Fernando Rovzar wanted to tell a gritty crime story with a touch of traditional Mexican melodrama that exposes wrong-doing in the establishment. A lot of research went into ensuring the events were portrayed with honesty, responsibility and respect, he said.
“One of the things I love about Mexico is that it’s one big grey area. I think this season was an opportunity to really test the moral compass of the four ‘Azules’,” said Rovzar. “Do they defend the system that they know is wrong or do they defend their own principles, even though they have to go against the system?”
The eight-episode season shows the foursome navigating new territory on and off duty, said Ximena Sariñana, who plays Ángeles, with “all going through transitions, trying to adapt to what the expectation is of a woman in their specific situation.”
Season two starts streaming on August 12, with one episode released weekly through September 30, and Rovzar is ready to carry on.
“There’s so many stories we can still tackle, issues from the past that are also relevant today that we can continue to take over,” he said. “The pen’s in my hand and I’m ready for another one.”
MacDailyNews Take: Here’s Apple TV’s official season two trailer:
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Apple agrees to $150,000 settlement over EEOC claims of antisemitic discrimination by retail store manager
Apple has agreed to pay $150,000 to resolve claims by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that a manager at one of its retail stores made antisemitic remarks and denied a longtime Jewish employee’s requests for time off before terminating him.
The settlement was disclosed in a joint filing Friday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. It comes nearly a year after the EEOC sued the company.
According to the EEOC, the manager of the Apple store in Reston, Virginia, targeted Tyler Steele, an employee who began working there in 2007 as an “Apple Genius” providing technical support and advice to customers. Steele converted to Judaism in 2023. A new manager hired that year allegedly denied Steele’s requests to avoid working on Fridays and Saturdays in observance of the Jewish Sabbath, which runs from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.
The commission further alleged that the manager told Steele he smelled of body odor, required him to work on the Sabbath, and instructed him not to discuss the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel with coworkers. Steele was fired in January 2024, a few days after he refused a request to work on a Friday, the EEOC said.
The lawsuit accused Apple of religious discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC sought unspecified back pay and other damages for Steele, including punitive damages for what it described as “malicious and reckless conduct.”
Apple denied any wrongdoing in its court filings. Neither the company nor the EEOC immediately responded to requests for comment.
The case is EEOC v. Apple, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, No. 1:25-cv-01637.
The EEOC routinely brings religious discrimination cases. Under Chair Andrea Lucas, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, the agency has placed renewed emphasis on the issue, securing more than $25 million in settlements since last year in a series of cases involving employers’ illegal COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
MacDailyNews Take: Mazel tov!
Now, to clarify, hiring a Jewish person in the U.S. does not automatically mean they are exempt from working on Fridays or Saturdays.
Here’s how it actually works under federal law (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964):
• Employers with 15 or more employees must provide a reasonable accommodation for an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs or practices (which, of course, is basically unprovable; if they say they have sincerely held religious beliefs or practices, they basically do), unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the business.
• For some observant Jews, that includes not working during the Sabbath (Shabbat), which runs from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. The same rule applies to other Sabbath-observing religions (e.g., some Christians who observe Sunday, Seventh-day Adventists, etc.).
• The employee must actually request the accommodation based on their religious beliefs. Simply being Jewish does not create an automatic schedule exemption. Many Jewish people do not strictly observe the Sabbath and routinely work Fridays and Saturdays.
Key points after the 2023 Supreme Court decision in Groff v. DeJoy
• “Undue hardship” is no longer the old low bar of “more than a de minimis cost.”
• The employer must now show that the accommodation would cause substantial increased costs in the overall context of its particular business.
• Common accommodations include voluntary shift swaps, schedule changes, or other adjustments. Employers are expected to explore options.
In a nutshell: Observant employees who request time off for the Sabbath or other beliefs or practices have stronger protections than before 2023, and employers cannot casually deny those requests. However, there is no blanket rule that every Jewish hire is automatically off Fridays and Saturdays. It depends on the individual’s sincere religious practice and whether a reasonable accommodation is possible without substantial hardship to the employer.
For more information on religious discrimination, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/religious-discrimination. For more information on retaliation, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/retaliation.
See also:
• U.S. EEOC sues Apple alleging company fired Jewish employee over Sabbath observance – September 30, 2025
• Apple employee fired over antisemitic Instagram message – November 3, 2023
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Apple’s glass-centric Twentieth Anniversary iPhone remains on track for 2027, contradicting Jefferies report
Apple is still moving ahead with a major glass-focused redesign of the iPhone to mark the device’s 20th anniversary next year, Mark Gurman reports for Bloomberg News, citing people familiar with the matter. This direct counters a recent Jefferies report that claimed the project had been canceled based on “supply-chain checks.”
The company plans to introduce the new look on its iPhone Pro models in 2027, Gurman reports. Those devices, known internally as V73 and V74, will feature glass on both the front and back that curves into the sides, sandwiching a thin metal band in the middle. The result is a significantly glassier aesthetic than current iPhones.
Apple’s design team had explored an even more ambitious concept that relied on still more glass in place of metal. That version was abandoned early in development after engineers ran into difficulties joining the glass panels and determined the design could not be manufactured reliably at high volumes.
The confirmation comes after Jefferies analyst Edison Lee reported, based on supply-chain checks, that Apple had scrapped the all-glass plans. Bloomberg News’ sources said the overall product roadmap has not changed, and the glass-centric overhaul for the anniversary Pro models remains intact.
The redesign would represent one of the most significant visual updates to the iPhone since the iPhone X, aligning with long-standing rumors of a near “slab of glass” design for the milestone year.
MacDailyNews Take: You know how America runs on Dunkin’? Jefferies runs on bullshit.
See also: Jefferies downgrades Apple after company cancels plans for Twentieth Anniversary all-glass iPhone – August 10, 2026
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Apple Pay text scam warns of $8,250 charge – and another one in just 35 minutes
A Washington, D.C., resident recently received a startling text message that claimed Apple Pay had already charged him $8,250, with a second identical charge set to go through automatically in only 35 minutes, Fox News’ CyberGuy Kurt Knutsson reports. The message, which appeared to come from “Apple Pay Account Services,” instructed him to call a toll-free number immediately, reference a case ID, and “verbally kill” the pending transaction—or risk losing the money forever.
The recipient, identified as Paul C., wisely paused instead of dialing. He forwarded the message for review rather than engaging. The text is a classic example of a high-pressure callback scam designed to create panic and push people into contacting criminals posing as support agents.
Key Red Flags in the Message
Several details immediately signal fraud:
• The text arrived from a +44 number (United Kingdom country code), yet directed a U.S. recipient to an unrelated 855 callback line.
• Dramatic, unprofessional language such as the account having “hemorrhaged” money, a “catastrophic fraud event,” a contactless limit “crushed” to $0, and the need to “verbally kill” a charge. Legitimate financial alerts use clear, straightforward wording.
• Vague and nonsensical merchant descriptions, including an “agricultural processing surplus in Stockton, CA” and a “payday lending chain in Modesto.”
• Internal contradictions: the message claimed the contactless limit was already blocked at $0 while simultaneously warning that another large contactless charge would auto-approve shortly.
• Every instruction funneled the recipient toward calling the provided number. It never suggested checking the Wallet app, the bank’s official app, or the phone number printed on the physical card.
The 35-minute countdown is intentional. It creates just enough urgency to discourage careful verification while still giving the target time to place the call.
How the Scam Typically Unfolds
The text is only the bait. Once someone calls, the person on the other end may claim to see the account activity, request personal details, card numbers, Apple Account information, or one-time verification codes. In some cases, scammers push victims to install remote-access software so they can view the screen or guide transactions. Other variations involve claims of an oversized refund that must be “returned,” or instructions to move money into a supposedly safe account.
Similar Apple Pay-themed texts have previously put victims at risk of losses in the five-figure range.
How to Verify a Suspicious Charge Safely
Never call a number that appears in an unexpected text. Instead:
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone, select the relevant card, and review the Transactions tab.
-
Check the full history in your bank or card issuer’s official app.
-
If anything looks wrong, call the customer-service number printed on the back of your physical card.
Apple has noted that Wallet does not always show complete transaction history for every card, so the bank remains the most reliable source.
Reporting and Next Steps
If you receive a similar message:
• Take a screenshot that includes the sender details.
• Report it as spam/junk in the Messages app, then block and delete the conversation.
• Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM).
• Email the screenshot to reportphishing@apple.com.
• File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you already called the number or shared information, hang up immediately. Contact your bank or card issuer through official channels to secure the account. Change any passwords that may have been compromised, enable or confirm two-factor authentication, and remove any remote-access software that was installed. Place credit freezes if sensitive personal data was shared.
Simple Habits That Reduce Risk
Slow down when any message imposes a tight deadline. Verify activity only through channels you already trust. Never read verification codes aloud or grant remote access to someone who contacts you first. Keep security software updated, limit the personal data available on people-search sites, and consider identity-monitoring tools if you have been targeted repeatedly.
MacDailyNews Take: This particular scam relies on fear and urgency rather than sophisticated technology. The best defense remains the same: pause, ignore the callback number, and check your accounts yourself through official apps or the number on your card.
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[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
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iPhone 18 Pro production costs set to jump nearly 40% as memory prices soar, forcing Apple to weigh margin cuts
Apple is bracing for a sharp rise in the cost of building its upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models, with bill-of-materials (BOM) expenses for the 256 GB version projected to climb about 38% year-over-year, according to the latest smartphone industry research from TrendForce.
The primary driver is soaring memory prices due to RAMageddon. Memory’s share of total BOM cost for recent 256 GB iPhone Pro models has already jumped from roughly 10% a year ago to about 34% in the third quarter of 2026 and is expected to exceed 40% in the first half of 2027. This marks a major shift: the application processor and display, long the biggest cost components, are being overtaken by memory.
TrendForce estimates the BOM cost of the 256 GB iPhone 18 Pro, due in the third quarter of 2026, will be approximately 38% higher than its 2025 predecessor. If memory prices keep rising, the increase could grow even larger in 2027.
Faced with these higher costs, Apple is expected to absorb part of the increase by accepting lower gross margins rather than fully passing the burden to consumers. The company may follow a strategy similar to recent MacBook launches, softening retail price hikes to protect shipment volumes and market share. Apple could also raise prices on older iPhone models at the same time as the new launch to help offset the memory-driven cost pressure.
The research notes that if even Apple, with its industry-leading profitability, feels this squeeze, Android smartphone makers will face even tighter margins. Many will need to pass on a larger share of the cost increases, leading to steeper retail price rises than those anticipated for the iPhone. Entry-level and mid-range devices, where margins are already thin, will be hit hardest. With memory prices having risen five- to sevenfold since early 2025, some brands may have little choice but to implement substantial price increases or discontinue lines that have fallen into negative gross margins.
As a result, TrendForce expects global smartphone production to remain under downward pressure from the second half of 2026 through 2027 as elevated memory costs continue to weigh on demand.
MacDailyNews Take: RAMageddon won’t last forever — new capacity should ease pressures eventually — but it’s exposing fundamental differences in business models. In a world of rising component costs, customer loyalty isn’t just nice-to-have marketing fluff. It’s a competitive superpower.
Apple isn’t totally immune, but its customers are, by far, the least likely to blink.
See also: Apple customers won’t blink at RAMageddon price increases – but Dell, Lenovo, and Samsung’s will -June 25, 2026
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iPhone 18 Pro Max said to sport 10%-12% larger battery than predecessor
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max is set to deliver a meaningful jump in battery capacity, according to a new leak reported by MacRumors
An alleged photo of a battery pack intended for the Chinese model of the iPhone 18 Pro Max lists a capacity of 5,391 mAh. That figure represents a nearly 12% increase over the 4,823 mAh battery found in the equivalent Chinese-market iPhone 17 Pro Max. The image, which shows a unit that includes a SIM card tray, was shared on the Korean platform Naver and is said to have originated on the Chinese social media site Weibo.
The same 5,391 mAh capacity previously appeared in a regulatory filing last month, lending additional weight to the claim.
For the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max — which lacks a physical SIM tray and therefore has more internal space — the leak points to an even higher capacity of 5,567 mAh. That would mark a nearly 10% year-over-year increase from the 5,088 mAh battery in the U.S. iPhone 17 Pro Max.
By contrast, the smaller iPhone 18 Pro is not expected to see significant battery gains. The U.S. model is reportedly set to use a 4,288 mAh battery, representing less than a 1% increase over the 4,252 mAh unit in the current iPhone 17 Pro. Earlier rumors that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be thicker than its Pro sibling may help explain the disparity in capacity increases.
Regional differences in battery size stem from Apple’s decision to retain physical SIM trays in certain markets while making U.S. (and some other) models eSIM-only. The extra space freed by removing the tray allows for slightly larger batteries in those configurations. Since the iPhone 17 generation, the list of eSIM-only markets has expanded beyond the United States to include Canada, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and several other countries and territories.
If the leaked figures prove accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro Max should offer noticeably improved battery life when it arrives later this year. As always with unconfirmed rumors, official confirmation will have to wait until Apple’s formal announcement.
MacDailyNews Take: Sold! (Oh, wait, we have to see what the foldable offers first!)
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Apple quickly pulls support document saying Mac users in China could link to Alibaba’s Qwen AI service
Apple has published a (temporary, it turns out) guide showing eligible Mac users in mainland China how to connect Alibaba’s Qwen artificial intelligence service to Siri and the company’s Writing Tools feature.
The update, detailed in a Chinese-language support document, allows users who opt in to leverage Qwen — Alibaba’s family of generative AI models — for more detailed responses through Siri, including analysis of photos and documents. Writing Tools can also draw on the service to generate text or images based on user descriptions.
The feature is available on Macs running macOS 26.6 or later, subject to China-specific conditions. Users must activate the extension and sign in to a Qwen account. According to Apple’s guide, Alibaba is prohibited from using any materials processed through the integration to train or improve its models.
The Mac-focused arrangement comes as Apple seeks to strengthen its position in China’s competitive AI PC market. The company has been losing ground to domestic rivals such as Lenovo and Huawei, which have aggressively promoted locally developed AI capabilities. Mac shipments in mainland China fell 9% year-on-year in the first quarter to about 800,000 units, giving Apple a 9% share of the PC market, according to research firm Omdia. Lenovo held 31% and Huawei 16%.
By integrating Qwen, Apple gains a locally compliant way to deliver advanced document analysis, image handling, and content-creation tools while retaining control of the Mac interface. For Alibaba, the partnership expands Qwen’s reach beyond its own apps and cloud services.
Alibaba has previously stated that Qwen will power Apple Intelligence across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro devices in China. Apple’s now unpublished guide, however, currently covered only Macs. Alibaba this week also released Qwen3.8-Max, a 2.4-trillion-parameter model it describes as its most capable to date, though Apple’s documentation did not specify which Qwen version will be used in the Mac extension.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple briefly published a Chinese-language support guide on its website (around August 8, 2026) explaining how eligible Mac users in mainland China could connect Alibaba’s Qwen AI to Siri and Writing Tools. The document was titled something along the lines of “在Mac上配合Apple智能使用千问” (“Use Qwen with Apple Intelligence on Mac”).
It was removed within about a day (by August 9th). Multiple reports have confirmed the takedown. Apple customer service in China stated that the feature integrating Apple Intelligence with Qwen has not yet been officially launched in mainland China, and they had not received notice of such a release.
In a nutshell, with a support guide clearly ready to go, CCP-sanctioned AI is coming soon to Macs in China.
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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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