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U.S. President Trump lauds outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook
President Donald Trump via Truth Social:
I have always been a big fan of Tim Cook, and likewise, Steve Jobs, but if Steve was not taken from the Planet Earth so young, and ran the company instead of Tim, the company would have done well, but nowhere near as well as it has under Tim. For me it began with a phone call from Tim at the beginning of my First Term. He had a fairly large problem that only I, as President, could fix. Most people would have paid millions of dollars to a consultant, who I probably would not have known, but who would say that he knew me well. The fees would be paid but the job would not have gotten done. When I got the call I said, wow, it’s Tim Apple (Cook!) calling, how big is that? I was very impressed with myself to have the head of Apple calling to “kiss my ass.” Anyway, he explained his problem, a tough one it was, I felt he was right and got it taken care of, quickly and effectively. That was the beginning of a long and very nice relationship. During my five years as President, Tim would call me, but never too much, and I would help him where I could. Years latter, after 3 or 4 BIG HELPS, I started to say to people, anyone who would listen, that this guy is an amazing manager and leader. He makes these calls to me, I help him out (but not always, because he will, on occasion, be too aggressive in his ask!), and he gets the job done, QUICKLY, without a dime being given to those very expensive (millions of dollars!) consultants around town who sometimes get it done, and sometimes don’t. Anyway, Tim Cook had an AMAZING career, almost incomparable, and will go on and continue to do great work for Apple, and whatever else he chooses to work on. Quite simply, Tim Cook is an incredible guy!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP
MacDailyNews Take: A nice tribute, but the statement, “if Steve was not taken from the Planet Earth so young, and ran the company instead of Tim, the company would have done well, but nowhere near as well as it has under Tim,” is a wild overstatement and also just plain wrong.
Imagine where Siri would be today if Steve Jobs had lived longer, staying laser-focused on it while also recognizing the paradigm shift of generative AI far earlier. That’s just one case. Just imagine Steve Jobs making the decisions regarding electric vehicles, VR/AR goggles, future iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple TVs, Apple Watches, home automation, and products that we – without Steve – have not yet even imagined!
The deep shift of Apple’s manufacturing and supply chain to China — which enabled the massive scaling of iPhone production, tight inventory control, and high margins — was already well underway under Steve Jobs. Cook, as head of operations, executed it brilliantly, but Jobs himself recognized the necessity.
In a 2011 dinner with President Obama, Jobs bluntly explained why iPhones couldn’t realistically be made in the U.S.: America lacked the scale, speed, flexibility, and dense ecosystem of skilled suppliers and engineers that China offered. He stated, “Those jobs aren’t coming back.”
Any competent operations leader in that era, facing the same global realities, would have leaned heavily on China’s manufacturing advantages — just as competitors did. Cook’s excellence in optimizing that system deserves credit for execution and efficiency, but crediting him alone for Apple’s post-Jobs growth ignores that the foundational supply-chain decisions were made with Jobs’ approval and understanding. Apple’s iterative success under Cook was built on the product vision and momentum that Steve Jobs created.
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Apple’s future hinges on whether new CEO John Ternus can ignite AI growth, analysts say
Apple’s leadership transition headed by new CEO John Ternus marks the beginning of a new era for the company, as Wall Street analysts say Apple’s future success will hinge on whether it can effectively fuse its deep hardware expertise with artificial intelligence to drive sustained growth in a rapidly changing tech landscape.”
Apple faces mounting AI‑driven competition and pressure from the Trump administration to bring more manufacturing back home… The company recently lost its place as the world’s most valuable company to AI chip leader Nvidia amid concerns about the slower pace of its generative AI rollout. Despite introducing Siri in 2011, Apple has yet to turn that early lead into a dominant AI platform.
“Investors want to know if Ternus will engage in the AI race, or if he will follow Cook’s lead. There is anticipation of new Apple products to boost their offering, and there is some expectation that Ternus could move fast to put his own stamp on the company,” said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB. “The external environment will be challenging for the new CEO – tariffs, war and supply chain concerns need to be factored into his growth plans.”
“Ternus now faces the challenge of turning Apple’s improving AI software, including its partnership with Google’s Gemini, into a genuinely AI-led device experience compelling enough to drive the next major hardware upgrade cycle,” [Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown], said.
MacDailyNews Note: Ternus, currently Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will become the company’s next chief executive officer effective September 1, 2026. Cook will remain as CEO through the summer to ensure a smooth transition, working closely with Ternus. Cook will then serve as executive chairman, where he will continue to assist with key aspects of the company, including engagement with global policymakers.
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Johny Srouji named Apple’s Chief Hardware Officer
Apple today announced that, effective immediately, Apple executive Johny Srouji will become chief hardware officer. Srouji, who most recently served as Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, will assume an expanded role leading Hardware Engineering, which John Ternus most recently oversaw, as well as the hardware technologies organization.
“Johny is one of the most talented people I have ever had the privilege to work with,” said outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook in a statement. “He has played a singular role in driving Apple’s silicon strategy, and his influence has been felt deeply not just inside the company, but across the industry. He has always led his organization with remarkable deftness and judgment, and time and again, his team has delivered breakthrough innovations that have transformed our products. We are incredibly fortunate to have him as Apple’s chief hardware officer.”
“Johny has been an incredible partner on the executive team, and is going to be an extraordinary chief hardware officer,” said incoming Apple CEO John Ternus in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with him in our new roles.”
Srouji has built one of the world’s strongest and most innovative teams of silicon and technology engineers, driving leading breakthroughs in custom chips and hardware technologies including Apple silicon, batteries, cameras, storage controllers, sensors, displays, cellular modems, and other critical areas across Apple’s entire product line.
Apple’s world-class hardware engineering team turns bold ideas into beautifully integrated products people rely on every day. They create and build all of Apple’s hardware products, leading everything from product design to system engineering to reliability and durability testing. The team works closely with industrial design, hardware technologies, software engineering, and operations to deliver the world’s most innovative products.
Srouji joined Apple in 2008 to lead development of A4, the first Apple-designed system-on-a-chip. Prior to Apple, Srouji held senior positions at Intel and IBM in the area of processor development and design. He earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Computer Science from Technion, Israel’s Institute of Technology.
MacDailyNews Take: Congrats, Johny Srouji!
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Tim Cook to become Apple Executive Chairman; John Ternus to become Apple CEO
Apple announced that Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors and John Ternus, senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will become Apple’s next chief executive officer effective on September 1, 2026. The transition, which was approved unanimously by the Board of Directors, follows a thoughtful, long-term succession planning process.
Cook will continue in his role as CEO through the summer as he works closely with Ternus on a smooth transition. As executive chairman, Cook will assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company. I love Apple with all of my being, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team of such ingenious, innovative, creative, and deeply caring people who have been unwavering in their dedication to enriching the lives of our customers and creating the best products and services in the world,” said Cook in a statement. “John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor. He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future. I could not be more confident in his abilities and his character, and I look forward to working closely with him on this transition and in my new role as executive chairman.”
“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” said Ternus in a statement . “Having spent almost my entire career at Apple, I have been lucky to have worked under Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Cook as my mentor. It has been a privilege to help shape the products and experiences that have changed so much of how we interact with the world and with one another. I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come, and I am so happy to know that the most talented people on earth are here at Apple, determined to be part of something bigger than any one of us. I am humbled to step into this role, and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century.”
Arthur Levinson, who has been Apple’s non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will become its lead independent director on September 1, 2026. Ternus will join the board of directors, also effective September 1, 2026.
“Tim’s unprecedented and outstanding leadership has transformed Apple into the world’s best company. He’s introduced groundbreaking products and services time and again, and his integrity and values are infused into everything Apple does,” said Levinson in a statement. “On behalf of the entire board of directors, we are incredibly grateful for his countless contributions to Apple and the world, and we are thrilled he will now be executive chairman. We believe John is the best possible leader to succeed Tim and as he transitions to CEO we know his love of Apple, his leadership, deep technical knowledge, and relentless focus on creating great products will help lead Apple to an extraordinary future.”
“I want to thank Art for the incredible work he has done leading the board of directors for the past 15 years,” added Cook. “I have always found his advice to be invaluable and I appreciate his thoughtfulness and his unwavering dedication to the company. I am grateful he will serve as our lead independent director, and I look forward to working with him in my new role.”
Tim Cook joined Apple in 1998. He became CEO in 2011 and has overseen the introduction of numerous products and services, including new categories like Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro, and services ranging from iCloud and Apple Pay to Apple TV and Apple Music. He was also instrumental in expanding existing product lines. Under Cook’s leadership Apple has grown from a market capitalization of approximately $350 billion to $4 trillion, representing a more than 1,000% increase, and yearly revenue has nearly quadrupled, from $108 billion in fiscal year 2011 to more than $416 billion in fiscal year 2025. The company has expanded its global footprint substantially, particularly in emerging markets; it is now in more than 200 countries and territories. Apple operates over 500 retail stores and has more than doubled the number of countries in which its customers can visit an Apple Store. During his tenure, Apple has grown by more than 100,000 team members and increased its active installed base to more than 2.5 billion devices.
Apple Services has been a major focus area of Cook’s, and during his tenure the category has grown to become a more than $100 billion business, the equivalent of a Fortune 40 company. Cook was also instrumental in creating the wearables category at Apple, which now includes the world’s most popular watch and headphones, and which has served as the foundation for Apple’s remarkable impact on the health and safety of its users. Under Cook’s leadership, Apple also transitioned to Apple-designed silicon, enabling the company to own more of its primary technology and deliver industry-leading gains in power efficiency and performance that directly benefit users across its products.
Cook has made Apple’s core values even more central to the company’s decision making and product development. Under his leadership, the company reduced its carbon footprint by more than 60 percent below 2015 levels during a period in which revenue nearly doubled. Cook, who has long advocated for privacy as a fundamental human right, has made privacy and security imperative at Apple, setting a standard for user protection that continues to set the company apart from the rest of the technology industry. He has also pushed for continued innovation in the accessibility space, believing that Apple products should be made for everyone. And he has made central to his leadership the notion that Apple should be a place where everyone can feel they belong and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Ternus joined Apple’s product design team in 2001 and became a vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013. He joined the executive team in 2021 as senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. Throughout his tenure at Apple, Ternus has overseen hardware engineering work on a variety of groundbreaking products across every category. He was instrumental in the introduction of multiple new product lines, including iPad and AirPods, as well as many generations of products across iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch.
Ternus’s work on Mac has helped the category become more powerful and more popular globally than at any time in its 40-year history. That includes the recent introduction of MacBook Neo, an all-new laptop that makes the Mac experience even more accessible to more people around the world. This past fall, his team’s efforts were on full display with the introduction of a redefined iPhone lineup, including the incredibly powerful iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, the radically thin and durable iPhone Air, and the iPhone 17, which has been an incredible upgrade for users. Under his leadership, his team also drove advancements in AirPods to make them the world’s best in-ear headphones, with unprecedented active noise cancellation, as well as the capability to become an all-in-one hearing health system that can serve as over-the-counter hearing aids.
Ternus led much of the company’s focus in areas like reliability and durability, introducing new techniques that have made Apple products remarkably resilient. He has also driven much of Apple’s innovation in materials and hardware design that have reduced the carbon footprint of its products, including the creation of a new, recycled aluminum compound that has been introduced across multiple product lines, the use of 3-D printed titanium in Apple Watch Ultra 3, and innovations in repairability that have increased the lifespans of several Apple products.
Prior to Apple, Ternus worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
MacDailyNews Take: The end of an era… and the start of a new one!
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Apple stock can hit $300 despite memory headwinds – Morgan Stanley
Apple has multiple catalysts for strong revenue growth, so investors shouldn’t be spooked by any margin pressure from rising memory costs, according to a Morgan Stanley analyst.
“We see a path to $300 for Apple shares by this September,” Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring wrote in a research note on Monday. That target is above Apple’s all-time closing high of $286.19, set on December 2, 2025.
Angela Palumbo for Barron’s:
“Memory inflation will pressure margins, but this is well-known, and iPhone revenue upside sets up for a better than feared June quarter guide,” Woodring wrote.
He added that any announcements regarding an AI powered Siri at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June, and the expected release of a foldable iPhone, would be positive tailwinds that can help push the stock higher after earnings.
Woodring, who rates the stock as Overweight with a $315 price target, also thinks Apple stands out against large tech peers as the company continues to report strong free cash flow while competitors continue to spend massive amounts of capex on building out AI infrastructure.
MacDailyNews Take: From Woodring’s lips to Mr. Market’s ears!
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New Apple TV 4K, M5 Mac Studio, and smart home devices imminent?
Apple fans are buzzing with speculation about a possible surprise April/may 2026 event — or at least a quiet wave of product launches — as fresh supply chain hints and YouTube-style leaks continue to dominate online discussions. While Apple has yet to confirm any official spring keynote, the chatter around refreshed Apple TV 4K, powerful M5-series Macs, and long-awaited HomePod and smart home upgrades has reached a fever pitch.
No formal invitations have gone out, and reliable reports suggest a traditional live-streamed event in April or May looks unlikely, with many eyes now turning toward WWDC in June. Still, “out of stock” signals, component leaks, and analyst whispers are keeping the rumor mill spinning at full speed.
The Long-Awaited Apple TV 4K Refresh Tops the List
One of the most talked-about rumored devices is the next-generation Apple TV 4K. Leaks point to a significant performance leap powered by the A17 Pro chip (the same silicon that debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro). This upgrade is expected to bring:
• Faster ray tracing and improved GPU performance for better gaming
• Deeper Apple Intelligence integration, including a smarter Siri
• Wi-Fi 7 support
Potential HomeKit enhancements
Some reports suggest the hardware is essentially ready, but Apple may be holding back the launch to ensure Apple Intelligence features (particularly advanced LLM Siri capabilities) are polished. A lower price point has also been floated in some leaks, which could make the new Apple TV more appealing as a true home entertainment and gaming hub.
Whether it drops quietly in the coming weeks or waits until later in the year, the 2026 Apple TV is shaping up to be the biggest update to the device in years.
M5 Mac Studio: A Desktop Powerhouse Incoming
On the Mac side, attention is firmly on the M5 Mac Studio. Supply of current models appears to be tightening, and leaks indicate Apple is preparing versions with both M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips.
Expect major gains:
• Up to 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU configurations
• Significantly higher memory bandwidth
• Up to 30% faster performance in pro workloads compared to M4-series chips
The M5 Ultra, in particular, is generating excitement among creative professionals and power users who see it as Apple’s answer to high-end desktop competition. While some earlier rumors pointed to a first-half 2026 launch, the current consensus leans toward a mid-2026 debut — possibly timed with WWDC.
Smart Home Devices: HomePod Updates and the Elusive Home Hub
Apple’s long-rumored smart home push is also part of the conversation. Leaks mention refreshed HomePod mini and a new full-size HomePod, along with a dedicated smart home hub (sometimes called “HomePad”) featuring a built-in display.
These devices are expected to bring tighter integration with Apple Intelligence, improved Siri, and better whole-home control. Some reports suggest a spring or early summer window for the speakers, while the full smart display hub might slip to later in 2026.
What to Watch Next
With no official confirmation of an April event, much of the current speculation is driven by YouTube videos dissecting supply chain reports and code leaks. Apple could opt for simple press releases and website updates instead of a big stage presentation — a strategy the company has used before for smaller refreshes.
In the meantime, the combination of a gaming-ready Apple TV, ultra-powerful M5 desktops, and long-overdue smart home hardware has Apple enthusiasts eagerly scanning for any sign of movement from Cupertino.
MacDailyNews Take: Stay tuned. Even without a flashy invite, April and May could still deliver some welcome surprises for the Apple ecosystem.
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Apple releases third betas of iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5
Apple today seeded developers with the third betas of iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5.
The updates arrived on Monday, April 20, 2026, roughly one week after Apple released the second betas of the same software.
Availability and Installation
Registered developers can download the new betas through the Apple Developer portal or over-the-air on enrolled devices:
• On iPhone and iPad: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
• On Mac: Open System Settings > General > Software Update.
• Similar paths apply to Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Vision Pro.
A free or paid Apple Developer account is required for access. Public beta versions typically follow shortly after developer releases via the Apple Beta Software Program.
What to Expect
As with recent point releases in the iOS 26 / macOS Tahoe 26 family, iOS 26.5 and its companion updates appear focused on bug fixes, performance improvements, and minor refinements rather than major new user-facing features. No specific changes have been highlighted yet for beta 3, consistent with the steady, weekly cadence Apple often follows in the later stages of point-update testing.
Earlier betas in the 26.5 cycle introduced or tested items such as:
• A “Suggested Places” feature in Maps
• Continued work on end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging
• Preparatory messages about upcoming ads in Apple Maps (for the US and Canada)
The third betas continue polishing the software ahead of a likely public release in the coming weeks.
These updates follow the major iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26 releases that debuted in 2025 with the new Liquid Glass design language and expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities. The .5 releases typically serve as maintenance updates that improve stability and address issues reported after the initial major versions.
Developers are encouraged to test their apps thoroughly against the new SDKs included with Xcode 26.5 to ensure compatibility.
MacDailyNews Note: Beta software can contain bugs and is not recommended for daily-driver devices. Always back up your data before installing.Stay tuned for further details as developers and public beta testers dig into today’s builds and report any new findings.
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Apple defeats Masimo bid for new Apple Watch import ban at US ITC tribunal
A U.S. trade tribunal ruled in favor of Apple on Friday, rejecting medtech company Masimo’s bid to reinstate an import ban on the Apple Watch.
The U.S. International Trade Commission closed Masimo’s case after declining to review a preliminary ruling issued in March by an ITC judge. That ruling found that Apple’s redesigned watches do not infringe Masimo’s patents related to blood-oxygen sensing technology.
Reuters:
Danaher-owned Masimo can appeal the decision to the Washington-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
“We thank the ITC for its decision, which ensures we can continue to offer this important health feature to our users,” Apple said. “For more than six years, Masimo has waged a relentless legal campaign against Apple, and nearly all of its claims have been rejected.”
The two companies have been embroiled in a long-running legal dispute after Masimo accused Apple of hiring away its employees to steal pulse-oximetry technology for determining blood oxygen levels.
The ITC blocked imports of Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in December 2023 after finding that they infringed Masimo’s patents. Apple removed blood-oxygen reading technology from its watches to avoid the ban, but reintroduced an updated version of the technology last August with approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Updated watches display health data from the blood-oxygen reader on associated Apple devices like the iPhone and not the watch itself. Apple’s original version displayed the data on its watches as well.
Masimo has separately sued Customs over its approval of the redesigned watches.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple Watch owners can breathe easy (and keep measuring their blood oxygen levels) for the foreseeable future.
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Apple faces final hearing in India antitrust case as regulator advances proceedings
India’s Competition Commission of India (CCI) has scheduled a final hearing for May 21, 2026, in its ongoing antitrust investigation into Apple’s App Store practices, after the company did not submit certain requested financial data and responses since October 2024, Reuters reports today.
The case, which dates back to 2021, stems from complaints by a non-profit organization, later joined by Match Group (owner of Tinder) and several Indian startups. A 2024 CCI investigation report alleged that Apple abused its dominant position in the iPhone apps market by requiring developers to use its proprietary in-app purchase system.
Apple has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The company maintains that it is a relatively small player in the Indian smartphone market, where Android-based devices hold the vast majority of share. iPhones currently account for about 9% of the market in India, up from around 7% in 2024, according to Counterpoint Research data.”
Apple has been challenging aspects of the proceedings, including a request in March 2026 to pause the CCI case while a separate matter is heard in the Delhi High Court. In that parallel case, Apple is contesting India’s antitrust penalty framework, particularly the potential use of global turnover in calculating fines—a approach that could theoretically expose the company to penalties as high as $38 billion in this matter.
The CCI rejected Apple’s request to halt proceedings, noting in an April 8, 2026 order that the company had been given sufficient opportunities to submit its objections, suggestions, and required financial information. The regulator has now granted Apple an additional two weeks to file its responses while setting the May 21 hearing date for the first time, signaling that the case is moving toward a resolution.
Antitrust experts have pointed out that Apple still has the opportunity to provide the requested financial details (supported by an auditor’s certificate) and present its arguments on any potential penalty during the upcoming hearing.
This development is part of broader global regulatory scrutiny faced by major tech companies, including Apple, over app store policies and competition issues. India represents a key growth market for Apple, where the company has been expanding its presence through new retail stores and increasing iPhone sales.
Apple has not publicly commented on the latest order, but the company has long argued that its App Store policies support a secure and high-quality user experience while enabling developers to build successful businesses. The CCI’s process continues, with both sides expected to present their positions at the May hearing.
MacDailyNews Take: India risks squandering a golden growth opportunity with Apple over a regulatory trifle in which the Cupertino company has done absolutely nothing wrong.
Apple in India isn’t a dominant behemoth crushing competition, it’s a company successfully earning its way in one of the world’s toughest, most price-sensitive markets by offering superior products that Indian consumers increasingly want.
Forcing changes to a proven, secure App Store model that benefits users with privacy, security, and a consistent high-quality experience — while enabling millions of developers worldwide to build thriving businesses — over complaints that largely echo global gripes from a few large players is yet another regulatory overreach. Apple has cooperated extensively is currently a small participant in India with no abusive dominance.
India has everything to gain by fostering an environment where innovative companies like Apple can continue investing, creating jobs, expanding retail presence, and driving premium economic activity. Alienating one of the world’s most successful tech firms over what amounts to standard platform policies that have fueled an entire ecosystem risks sending exactly the wrong signal to global investors and innovators.
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Memory shortages may delay next Mac Studio and touch-screen MacBook Pro
Apple’s plans for new Mac hardware in 2026 are hitting minor supply chain headwinds, according to Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman.
In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman reports that memory shortages could cause at least slight delays to both the next-generation Mac Studio and the anticipated touch-screen MacBook Pro models.
The current Mac Studio, available in M3 Ultra and M4 Max configurations, has seen long shipping delays and stock shortages in recent months. A refresh — widely expected to bring more powerful M5-series Max and Ultra chips — had been targeted for around mid-2026, but may now slip a few months, potentially landing in October.
Separately, Apple is still developing its first touch-screen MacBook Pro models, slated for a fall 2026 release. These would introduce direct touchscreen input to the Pro notebook lineup (likely paired with OLED displays), though reports emphasize the implementation will stop well short of turning the Mac into an iPad-like hybrid device.
The dual delay risk stems from broader constraints on advanced memory components needed for the high-end chips powering both machines.
MacDailyNews Note: No changes to the industrial design of the Mac Studio are expected; the update is expected to be a chip-focused refresh to maintain its position as Apple’s compact high-performance desktop for creative professionals and developers.
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Apple TV to finally release Jessica Chastain’s ‘The Savant’ this July, but its selective framing of ‘hate’ and extremism remains deeply problematic
After nearly a year of delay, “The Savant” is set to premiere on Apple TV this July. Jessica Chastain, who stars as the lead character and serves as an executive producer, confirmed the news, telling Variety that “we’re going to see it.”
Apple TV is targeting a July 2026 release for the limited series, which was originally scheduled for September 2025 but pulled shortly after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Chastain had publicly disagreed with the postponement at the time, stating she was “not aligned” with Apple TV’s decision. She argued that the show, which focuses on stopping violence before it happens, felt “more urgent than ever” amid rising political tensions.
Pre-Release Backlash: The Critical Drinker’s Scathing Take
The problems with the series were evident well before the delay. In September 2025, popular YouTube film and TV critic The Critical Drinker lambasted “The Savant” as “The Ultimate Karen Power Fantasy” in a September 3 review that has since racked up nearly a million views (some of which may well have come from Apple executives).
Being able to read the room is a pretty important skill for anyone, especially if your job is to produce entertainment that will appeal to as wide an audience as possible. That means having your finger on the pulse of modern culture and understanding how people are feeling, what they like and dislike, and what issues are important to them right now. Which is what Apple TV spectacularly failed with the release of their first trailer for “The Savant,” a new show about — and I kid you not — a middle-aged white Karen who uses online censorship and surveillance to tackle “right-wing extremism” in America (laughs). Congratulations, Apple, I do believe you’ve cracked it! You have officially won the “Boy, Did We Back The Wrong Horse” award for the most tone-deaf, out-of-touch production in recent memory.
– The Critical Drinker
Some language may be NSFW, depending on where you work:
His critique cut to the heart of the show’s fundamental misreading of the cultural moment.
The Premise: Infiltrating “Online Hate Groups”
“The Savant” follows Chastain’s character, Jodi Goodwin — known as “The Savant” — an elite undercover investigator who embeds herself in online forums and “hate groups” to identify and stop domestic extremists planning large-scale attacks. The series draws from a 2019 Cosmopolitan article about real-world threat assessment work and markets itself as a thriller about preventing catastrophic violence by “the nation’s most violent men.”
Unsurprisingly, Cosmopolitan is a news media source with an AllSides Media Bias Rating of “Left.”
Undercover operations against genuine threats are valid dramatic territory. The issue lies in the narrow and familiar framing: in Hollywood storytelling, “hate groups” and “online extremism” almost invariably point to conservative, traditional, or anti-woke viewpoints. Opposition to open borders, skepticism of certain gender ideologies, or defense of classical liberal debate often gets recast as incubators of terrorism, while radicalization pipelines on the left — including dehumanizing rhetoric that labels mainstream conservatives as fascists or irredeemable — receive far less scrutiny in prestige dramas.
The Kirk Assassination and the Awkward Timing
The delay was no coincidence. On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk — the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, known for his campus debates and “Prove Me Wrong” events — was assassinated by a sniper while speaking at Utah Valley University. The accused shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, reportedly had shifted his views sharply left in the preceding year. Family members and investigators described him becoming increasingly “pro-gay and trans-rights oriented,” and evidence pointed to ideological motivation rooted in opposition to Kirk’s views, particularly on transgender issues and cultural matters. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox publicly referenced the suspect’s “leftist ideology.”
Kirk was not organizing violence or calling for harm. He was a debater who engaged audiences directly. Yet he was murdered amid a cultural climate that frequently portrays conservative speech itself as dangerous “hate.” The core premise of “The Savant” — infiltrating online “hate” to avert mass violence — now lands in a context where a real political assassination stemmed from the opposing ideological side.
Chastain’s earlier statement attempted to acknowledge violence across the spectrum. That gesture toward balance is better than outright denial, but the series itself appears built on the establishment media template that disproportionately casts right-leaning online spaces as the primary threat while downplaying or contextualizing left-driven patterns.
Entertainment’s Persistent One-Sided Lens
Political violence is indefensible no matter the perpetrator’s affiliation. It replaces argument with force and chills the open debate that Kirk championed. Yet much of entertainment continues to apply a selective filter: right-linked events receive exhaustive dramatic treatment and moral condemnation, while left-linked radicalization — from targeted attacks on conservatives to rhetoric that celebrates or excuses political violence — is often softened, ignored, or explained away.
“The Savant” seems poised to follow that pattern rather than challenge it. Apple TV’s initial hesitation to release the show so soon after Kirk’s killing was understandable from an optics standpoint. Releasing a drama centered on stopping “hate groups” immediately after a prominent conservative voice was silenced by someone steeped in opposing ideology risked appearing tone-deaf or worse.
The Critical Drinker’s viral takedown highlighted exactly why the project felt so out of step even before the real-world tragedy made the mismatch impossible to ignore.
Viewers tuning in this July should watch with clear eyes. Thrillers can entertain and raise real questions about radicalization and prevention. But when they consistently define “hate” and “extremism” along partisan lines — demonizing one side’s fringes while giving the other a pass — they don’t heal division. They deepen it.
A more truthful series would depict radicalization pipelines wherever they actually exist, without ideological blinders. Until Hollywood is willing to do that, productions like “The Savant” will function more as cultural reinforcement — an exercise in confirmation bias — than as honest exploration.
SteveJack is a long-time Macintosh user, web designer, multimedia producer, and contributor to the MacDailyNews Opinion section.
MacDailyNews Take: July’s full release will reveal whether the final product offers any meaningful nuance or simply recycles Hollywood’s typical selective narrative, but the trailer and the fact that Apple TV delayed its release for so long after Kirk’s assassination lead us to suspect the latter.
See also:
• Jessica Chastain: I respect Apple’s decision to pause the release of ‘The Savant’ or something – September 24, 2025
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Apple’s WWDC 2026 teaser hints at a major Siri redesign in iOS 27
Apple has a long tradition of embedding subtle clues in its event invitations and teaser graphics, and this year’s WWDC 2026 is no exception. According to Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman, the official WWDC 2026 teaser artwork quietly reveals key elements of the long-awaited revamped Siri interface coming in iOS 27.
The event, officially scheduled for June 8–12, 2026, with the keynote on June 8, is expected to focus heavily on AI advancements across Apple’s platforms, including iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. While the full details won’t be unveiled until the keynote, the teaser has already given developers and Apple watchers an early peek at what’s coming for the company’s voice assistant.
The Hidden Siri Glow in the WWDC Teaser
Apple’s teaser graphic features a prominent glowing “26” element. Sources familiar with the matter tell Gurman that this visual effect directly hints at the new Siri design being tested internally for iOS 27. The updated interface reportedly incorporates a similar glow effect, along with a more modern, chatbot-like appearance.
Key rumored elements of the new Siri include:
• A redesigned visual interface that integrates with the Dynamic Island on iPhone.
• A new “Search or Ask” prompt.
• A glowing cursor or indicator for a more interactive, AI-driven experience.
• Enhanced capabilities, potentially including better integration with third-party AI agents like Grok, Claude, etc.
This overhaul has been one of the most anticipated updates for Siri in years. For a long time, users and developers have called for a more capable, visually engaging assistant that feels truly next-generation — especially as competitors have pushed their own AI features forward.
MacDailyNews Take: If the teaser is any indication, Apple may finally be intent on delivering a significant reboot that could make Siri far more central to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS experiences.
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iPhone 18 Pro colors: Dark Cherry, no more Cosmic Orange
Macworld has obtained exclusive insider information on the iPhone 18 Pro’s expected color options for 2026, which include a striking new signature shade called “Dark Cherry” — a deep, wine-like red.The iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to offer Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver, while dropping the current Cosmic Orange color from the iPhone 17 Pro models.
Apple is planning to launch three devices in September 2026: the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a new ultra-thin foldable iPhone Ultra with a 4.7mm profile and more limited choices of finish.
Filipe Esposito for Macworld:
Every year, Apple introduces a new signature color for the iPhone Pro models. With the iPhone 17 Pro, the color that stood out the most was the vibrant Cosmic Orange. What about this year’s models?
While other sources have previously reported on a “Dark Red” color, the information we’ve heard suggests that Apple has been working on a Dark Cherry option to serve as the headline new color for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
As always, Apple is expected to discontinue the current lineup of colors, including Cosmic Orange.
Apple has also been reportedly experimenting with two other new color options for this year’s Pro lineup. One of them is Light Blue, which would resemble the current Mist Blue color of the base iPhone 17. The other color in development is a dark shade of gray. Finally, our source also reports on the existence of a silver variant of the iPhone 18 Pro, similar to the current generation.
MacDailyNews Take: With Apple’s first foldable iPhone expected — the iPhone Ultra — this year will likely* be the first year in a long time that we won’t be focused on buying the flagship Pro Max.
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India drops proposal to mandate national biometric ID app on iPhones and Android phones
India’s government has dropped a proposal that would have required Apple, Samsung, and other smartphone makers to pre-install the country’s biometric ID app Aadhaar on all phones, a state agency said on Friday. The plan had faced strong opposition from the tech companies.
Reuters:
Reuters reported last month that UIDAI, the state body that operates Aadhaar, had asked the IT ministry in January to engage with Apple, Google, and other leading smartphone makers to consider mandatory pre-installation of the Aadhaar app. A unique 12-digit identity number tied to an individual’s fingerprints and iris scans, Aadhaar is held by nearly 1.34 billion residents and is widely used for verification purposes in banking and telecom services, as well as for faster airport entry.
India’s IT ministry reviewed the proposal and “is not in favour of mandating the pre-installation of the Aadhaar App on smartphones,” UIDAI said in a statement to Reuters on Friday.
Smartphone makers flagged concerns about device security and compatibility when they received the Aadhaar preload proposal, and also flagged higher production costs as they would have been required to run separate manufacturing lines for India and export markets, according to documents reviewed by Reuters.
Apple and Samsung in particular both had concerns with the proposal due to questions over safety and security, sources told Reuters in March.
The government’s decision not to proceed with the proposal shows the constraints on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s digital push as India courts firms like Apple to expand its role as a global smartphone hub. In December, India faced criticism over an order mandating smartphone firms to pre-install a telecom security app, forcing a rollback within days.
MacDailyNews Take: Yet another Big Brother attempt thwarted!
No backdoors! Hands off our private and secure iPhones, intrusive and clueless bureaucrats, autocrats, and technocrats of the world! – MacDailyNews, December 3, 2025
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Apple TV series ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ is ‘a wonderful show that’s as charming as it is rewarding to watch’ – Slate
“Margo’s Got Money Troubles” is a bold, heartwarming and comedic family drama following recent college dropout and aspiring writer, Margo (Elle Fanning), the daughter of an ex-Hooters waitress (Michelle Pfeiffer) and ex-pro wrestler (Nick Offerman), as she’s forced to make her way with a new baby, a mounting pile of bills and a dwindling amount of ways to pay them.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles — a new Apple TV serie… was made by people who know good TV. When the adaptation was first announced, it was revealed that the show would be produced by A24, helmed by David E. Kelley (the creator of The Practice and Big Little Lies), and executive produced by Nicole Kidman, as well as both Elle Fanning (who stars as Margo) and her sister Dakota. It’s thanks to this stacked lineup, along with a stellar cast that includes Nick Offerman, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Greg Kinnear, that Margo’s Got Money Troubles takes what could be a bundleful of clichés and turns it into a wonderful show that’s as charming as it is rewarding to watch…
Fanning is, as always, great as the narrative center, hitting all of the beats well, both as Margo’s beleaguered self and as her racy content-creator self, who prefers a touch of the avant-garde in her sexy offerings. Pfeiffer is also wonderful as the conflicted Shyanne, who consistently views the state of her daughter’s life as a personal indictment on her own perceived failure as a single mother to Margo. The show makes full use of Pfeiffer, giving her some great one-liners — “There are no victims in Bloomingdale’s!” — as well as a number of opportunities to showcase her lovely singing voice. Offerman’s portrayal of Jinx, a father struggling with addiction and regret over time lost, is beautifully heartbreaking and avoids falling into the loud dramatics common to addiction narratives. Kidman is hilarious as Lace, whose background and involvement I won’t spoil but is worth watching to witness. But the MVP award of a great cast goes to Graham, whose turn as Susie, Margo’s wrestling-obsessed, cosplaying roommate, is endlessly charming. Susie’s role as Margo’s sole remaining friend and Bodhi’s part-time caregiver is a salvation—one that comes not without sacrifices and suffering of her own, which Graham portrays with nuance and care.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple TV might have yet another winner on its hands.
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BNP Paribas upgrades Apple to ‘Outperform’ with $300 Target
In a notable shift, BNP Paribas analyst David O’Connor upgraded Apple (AAPL) to Outperform (“Buy”) from Neutral and raised the price target to $300 (up from $260). The move comes amid rising concerns over a memory price crunch affecting the broader smartphone industry, yet the firm sees Apple positioned to not just weather the storm, but to capitalize from it.
DRAM and NAND flash memory prices have surged recently, driven by supply constraints and strong demand from AI applications and other sectors. For smartphone makers, this translates into higher component costs that squeeze margins or force price increases.
According to BNP Paribas, the memory inflation is likely to cause low-to-mid tier demand destruction across the industry. Budget and mid-range Android devices, which often operate on thinner margins and serve more price-sensitive consumers, could see weakened demand as manufacturers pass on costs or cut corners on specs. This environment creates headwinds for many players but opens a window for premium brands.
While Apple is not immune to higher memory prices, the analyst highlights key advantages that should allow the company to navigate the crunch more effectively than competitors:
• Scale and supply security: Apple’s massive purchasing power means “size availability is not an issue.” The company can secure the memory it needs without facing the allocation shortages that smaller vendors might encounter.
• Pricing power: Apple “typically commands the best price,” enabling it to maintain strong margins even as input costs rise. Consumers in the premium segment have historically shown willingness to pay for the iPhone’s ecosystem, performance, and brand value.
• Share gain opportunity: As lower-tier segments face demand pressure, Apple could capture additional market share from buyers trading up or from competitors struggling with supply and pricing challenges.
This dynamic reinforces Apple’s structural strengths in a maturing smartphone market, where differentiation and loyalty matter more than ever.
Broader Context for AAPL Investors
The upgrade arrives as Apple continues to show resilience in key markets. Recent reports of strong iPhone shipment growth in China (despite overall market softness) underscore the company’s enduring appeal among premium buyers. With services revenue providing a steady, high-margin growth engine and new AI features expected to drive future iPhone upgrade cycles, the $300 target from BNP Paribas reflects confidence in Apple’s ability to deliver steady upside.
Of course, risks remain: ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, potential tariffs, and the pace of AI monetization could influence results. Still, the analyst’s view positions Apple as a relative winner in an industry facing genuine cost pressures.
At current levels, the $300 price target implies meaningful upside potential, aligning with several other Wall Street forecasts that see Apple trading well above recent ranges over the next 12 months.
In a challenging component cost environment, BNP Paribas believes Apple’s scale, pricing discipline, and premium positioning turn what could be a headwind into a tailwind for market share gains. For long-term AAPL holders, this upgrade underscores why the company often outperforms during periods of industry stress.
MacDailyNews Take: Welcome to the party, BNP Paribas!
We’re accumulating on the overwrought dips, as always. Anything in the $250s (or, dare we, below, pretty please?) is an absolute gift! – MacDailyNews, March 6, 2026
Apple and, indeed, the entire U.S. economy, are primed to roar in 2026! – MacDailyNews, January 27, 2026
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Apple now supports multiple AI chatbot apps on CarPlay
Starting with iOS 26.4, Apple now supports AI chatbot apps on the iPhone via CarPlay.ChatGPT was the first to add support shortly after the iOS 26.4 release. Now a second AI chatbot has joined: Perplexity.
Similar to ChatGPT for CarPlay, Perplexity’s CarPlay app is designed about voice chat.
Unlike ChatGPT, however, Perplexity generally requires a Pro subscription ($20/month) for doing much with voice chat.
Still, it’s great to see Perplexity quick to adopt CarPlay support so soon after iOS 26.4’s release.
We’re still waiting to see CarPlay support for other AI chatbot apps like Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini. xAI’s Grok also lacks CarPlay support for now.
MacDailyNews Take: Come on xAI, let’s get a move on!
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Michelle Monaghan to join the cast of Apple TV’s ‘Your Friends & Neighbors’
Fresh off her acclaimed role in Season 3 of “The White Lotus,” Michelle Monaghan has signed on as a series regular for Season 3 of Apple TV+’s drama “Your Friends & Neighbors.” She’ll star opposite Jon Hamm (who also executive produces) and is reportedly set to play a potential new love interest for his character, Andrew Cooper. The series was renewed for a third season ahead of Season 2’s debut, with Monaghan joining the returning ensemble that includes Amanda Peet, Olivia Munn, and James Marsden.
Nellie Andreeva for Deadline:
Character details are not being released. I hear Monaghan, who is said to have a one-year deal, plays a potential new love interest for Hamm’s Andrew Cooper.
This marks her return to Apple TV where she was a series regular on Season 1 of the crime series “Bad Monkey.” She also reprised her starring role opposite Mark Wahlberg in Apple TV’s 2025 movie sequel “The Family Plan 2.”
MacDailyNews Note: As for “Bad Monkey,” Apple TV renewed the series for Season 2 on December 17, 2024, shortly after Season 1 premiered to strong reviews (it’s “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes). Vince Vaughn will return as Andrew Yancy, and several cast members from Season 1 (including Natalie Martinez and Charlotte Lawrence) have been confirmed to return as series regulars.
As of April 2026, Season 2 is in production, with an expected premiere sometime in late 2026 or early 2027.
Michelle Monaghan is not confirmed to return for Season 2 of “Bad Monkey.” Some outlets note that her Season 1 storyline left the door slightly open for a potential surprise return, but nothing has been announced, and she does not appear on current Season 2 cast lists.
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 marketing veteran Stan Ng retires after 31 years leading Apple Watch, AirPods, Home, and Health initiatives
Apple is bidding farewell to Stan Ng, a long-time marketing leader who played a pivotal role in shaping some of the company’s most successful wearable and accessory product lines.
Ng, Apple’s marketing chief responsible for the Apple Watch, AirPods, smart home efforts, and health initiatives, announced his retirement on Thursday after an impressive 31-year career at the tech giant,” Mark Gurman reports for Bloomberg News.
Ng was instrumental in the original development and ongoing marketing of the Apple Watch, helping turn it into a flagship product that blended fashion, fitness, and health tracking. Under his oversight, the Watch evolved through multiple generations, while he also guided marketing strategies for AirPods — which revolutionized wireless audio — along with broader health features and smart home products.
The departure marks a notable changing of the guard for these key categories, which have become significant revenue drivers and brand differentiators for Apple in recent years.
Ng shared the news of his retirement via a LinkedIn post, capping off a tenure that spanned from the early days of Apple’s modern resurgence through the explosive growth of its wearables business.
While Apple has not yet detailed plans for a successor or internal transitions, the move comes at a time when the company continues to innovate in health technology, audio experiences, and connected home ecosystems.
Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but Ng’s exit highlights the ongoing evolution of the company’s marketing organization as it navigates new product cycles and strategic priorities.
For Apple enthusiasts and industry watchers, Stan Ng’s retirement serves as a reminder of the dedicated talent behind the seamless marketing that has helped make products like the Apple Watch and AirPods cultural and commercial icons.
MacDailyNews Take: As Apple pushes forward with advancements in AI, health monitoring, and beyond, the foundation built during Ng’s three decades will undoubtedly continue to influence the company’s direction.
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Apple iPhone surges 20% in China in Q1 as rivals stumble, strongest growth among major vendors
Apple’s iPhone has once again proved its enduring appeal in the world’s largest smartphone market.
China’s overall smartphone shipments declined 4% year-over-year in the first quarter (January to March), hammered by supply chain disruptions and sharply higher memory chip prices that forced vendors to raise prices across budget and mid-range models to protect margins.
Yet Apple and, to a much lesser extent, Huawei — the Chinese market’s two dominant players — bucked the downturn in impressive fashion. Apple’s iPhone shipments jumped a robust 20%, delivering the strongest growth of any major vendor. Huawei managed to eke out just a modest 2% increase.
Counterpoint Research senior analyst Ivan Lam explained Apple’s standout performance: “As most rivals raise prices, Apple stands out for value, with Chinese consumers knowing its products last at least three years.”
Huawei retained the top spot in China with a 20% market share, driven by solid demand for both its high-end flagships and more affordable Enjoy 90 series devices. Apple followed closely in second place with 19% share.
Xiaomi suffered a steep 35% drop in shipments, slipping to sixth place — largely due to a tough comparison against last year’s aggressive price cuts and government subsidies that created an inflated base. Oppo and Honor also posted declines of 5% and 3%, respectively, while Vivo eked out a 2% gain thanks to strong Lunar New Year holiday sales.
Vendors across the board have been hiking prices on entry-level handsets to offset the elevated cost of memory components, shifting the market toward premium segments where margins are healthier.
Looking ahead, Lam anticipates continued headwinds in Q2 as Chinese brands push prices even higher. However, he expects Apple and Huawei to fare better than most.
“Apple and Huawei should continue to outperform,” Lam noted, “with Huawei potentially seeing further shipment growth driven by solid demand for its lower-end devices.”
MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s premium positioning, legendary build quality, and ecosystem loyalty are once again proving to be powerful differentiators — even as the broader China smartphone market feels the memory squeeze.
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