Apple News
Wedbush boosts Apple price target to $350 on iPhone momentum, AI executive shakeup
In a move that underscores growing optimism around Apple’s pivot toward artificial intelligence, Wedbush Securities has raised its price target for Apple shares to $350 from $320, maintaining an “Outperform” or “Buy” rating on the stock. This adjustment, announced on Monday, implies roughly 26% upside from Apple’s recent trading levels around $278, positioning it as one of Wall Street’s most bullish calls on the tech giant. Led by veteran analyst Dan Ives, Wedbush’s decision hinges on a confluence of factors: Apple’s anticipated entry into the “AI Revolution” in 2026, robust iPhone 17 sales — particularly in China — and strategic leadership shifts aimed at accelerating AI development.
The Dawn of Apple’s AI Era in 2026
At the core of Wedbush’s bullish stance is the belief that 2026 will mark a transformative year for Apple, as the company finally unleashes a comprehensive AI strategy after what Ives describes as a “head-scratching” rollout in 2025. Apple has already introduced Apple Intelligence features, but Wedbush anticipates a more aggressive push, including deeper integrations that could monetize AI across its vast ecosystem of over 2.4 billion active devices.
Ives projects that AI-driven monetization—through enhanced services, premium features, and ecosystem lock-in—could add $75 to $100 per share to Apple’s valuation over the next few years. This “pure upside,” as Wedbush terms it, remains largely unpriced into the current stock, creating an attractive entry point for investors. “Apple is positioned to formally enter the AI arena in 2026,” Ives wrote in a note to clients, emphasizing that the company’s installed base positions it uniquely to capitalize on AI adoption without the heavy infrastructure costs borne by cloud-heavy rivals like Microsoft or Google.
A key catalyst? An expected partnership with Google’s Gemini AI model, which Wedbush forecasts will be formally announced in early 2026. While Apple has integrated OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its ecosystem, analysts see Gemini as a potential exclusive partner for Siri enhancements, accelerating Apple’s roadmap. This collaboration could blend Apple’s privacy-focused hardware with Google’s advanced language models, addressing criticisms of Apple’s slower AI pace. “This is the elephant in the room,” Ives noted, highlighting how such integrations could supercharge user engagement and open new revenue streams from subscriptions and app store boosts.
Strong iPhone 17 Sales Exceed Expectations
Complementing the AI narrative is Apple’s hardware performance. Wedbush highlighted “strong iPhone 17 sales trending well into year-end,” including resilient demand in China — a market that has been a pain point amid U.S.-China trade tensions. The iPhone 17 lineup, launched earlier in 2025, has exceeded Wall Street’s growth forecasts for the December quarter, setting the stage for a “healthy holiday season.”
Early indicators suggest the iPhone 17’s AI-teased features — such as on-device processing for smarter photo editing and real-time translation — are driving upgrades. Wedbush’s October 2025 hike from $310 to $320 was predicated on initial iPhone 17 strength; the latest increase builds on that, with Ives viewing it as evidence of sustained consumer appetite heading into an AI-infused upgrade cycle.
Leadership Overhaul Signals Commitment
Wedbush’s confidence is further bolstered by Apple’s internal shake-up in AI leadership. Longtime AI chief John Giannandrea is departing, a move Ives interprets as a deliberate pivot toward external expertise. Apple has recruited Amar Subramanya, a former Microsoft executive with roots at Google’s DeepMind, to spearhead AI efforts. This hire, along with anticipated further “outside talent” infusions, signals to Wedbush that CEO Tim Cook recognizes the need for fresh perspectives to compete in the AI arms race.
Ives expects Cook to remain at the helm through at least the end of 2027, providing continuity during this “key AI technology transition.” Under Cook’s stewardship, Apple has navigated regulatory scrutiny, antitrust battles, and supply chain disruptions, emerging with a services business that now rivals hardware in growth potential. Wedbush views these changes as a “culture shift” that will propel Apple forward, much like past hires from rivals turbocharged its silicon and software teams.
Broader Market Implications
Apple’s story resonates in a broader “risk-on” tech environment, where AI hype continues to fuel valuations despite lofty multiples. Ives likens the AI bull market to a party that’s “only at 10:30 p.m.,” with massive Big Tech investments laying the groundwork for decade-long growth. For Apple, trading at a forward P/E of around 37, the absence of an “AI premium” makes it a standout large-cap play, especially compared to peers like Nvidia or Amazon, which have baked in more aggressive AI expectations.
Wedbush’s Ives has long been a vocal bull, previously setting street-high targets during the 5G supercycle. But with AI now at the forefront, the firm sees echoes of that era: a multi-year upgrade wave that could propel Apple toward a $5 trillion market cap. As Ives puts it, “The pieces are falling into place for a major 2026 catalyst year.”
Risks and the Road Ahead
Of course, no forecast is without caveats. Apple’s AI ambitions face hurdles, including regulatory probes into app store practices and potential delays in Gemini integration. China sales, while rebounding, remain volatile amid geopolitical tensions. And broader economic slowdowns could crimp consumer spending on premium devices.
Yet, Wedbush’s conviction is clear: Apple’s blend of hardware dominance, services scale, and emerging AI prowess positions it for outsized gains. As investors digest this latest call, all eyes will be on Apple’s next earnings and any early whispers of 2026 product teases. For now, the message from Wedbush is unequivocal — Apple isn’t just catching up in AI; it’s poised to lead.
MacDailyNews Take: As we reported in September, “A little birdie sings us very positive songs regarding Apple’s all-new next-gen Siri.” That view has no changed. If anything, it’s getting stronger!
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Apple’s ‘F1,’ ‘Severance,’ ‘Pluribus,’ ‘Slow Horses,’ ‘The Studio’ score Golden Globe Awards nominations
Apple TV on Monday was recognized with 14 total nominations across six titles for the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, with top category nods including Cinematic and Box Office Achievement alongside Best Original Score for acclaimed film “F1” following its global release as the highest-grossing sports feature of all time, as well as Best Drama nominations for breakout freshman drama “Pluribus” and Emmy Award-winners “Severance” and “Slow Horses.” “The Studio,” which recently became the most Emmy-winning freshman comedy in history, received a Best Comedy nod. The winners will be revealed on Sunday, January 11, 2026 in Los Angeles.
Apple Original Films’ “F1” scored nominations for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement and Best Score by Hans Zimmer, the latest accolades for the film following a National Board of Review win as one of the Top Ten Films of 2025, and seven Critics Choice Award nominations including Best Song “Drive”; Best Score; Best Cinematography; Best Editing; Best Visual Effects; Best Sound; and Best Stunt Design.
“Severance” earned top acting nominations including Best Actor in a Drama for Adam Scott, Best Actress in a Drama for Britt Lower, and Best Supporting Actor for Tramell Tillman, while “Pluribus” landed a Best Actress in a Drama nod for lead Rhea Seehorn. “The Studio” scored nominations for Best Actor in a Comedy for Seth Rogen and Best Supporting Actress for Catherine O’Hara, while “Slow Horses” earned a nod for lead Gary Oldman (his third in this category), and “The Morning Show” landed a Best Supporting Actor nod for Billy Crudup (also his third nomination in this category).
These nominations mark Apple’s most recent recognition from the Golden Globe Awards, following Lily Gladstone’s groundbreaking win in 2024 for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and Paul Walter Hauser’s Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series win for “Black Bird” in 2023. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 658 wins and 2,958 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” and Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
Apple’s 14 nominations for the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards include:
“F1”
• Cinematic and Box Office Achievement
• Best Original Score — Hans Zimmer
“Severance”
• Best Television Series — Drama
• Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series, Drama — Adam Scott
• Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series, Drama — Britt Lower
• Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role on Television — Tramell Tillman
“Pluribus”
• Best Television Series — Drama
• Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series, Drama — Rhea Seehorn
“Slow Horses”
• Best Television Series — Drama
• Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series, Drama — Gary Oldman
“The Studio”
• Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy
• Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy — Seth Rogen
• Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television — Catherine O’Hara
“The Morning Show”
• Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role on Television — Billy Crudup
All titles are currently streaming on Apple TV.
“F1”
Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team’s hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition — and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.
“Severance”
In “Severance,” Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure that surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. This daring experiment in “work-life balance” is called into question as Mark finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work … and of himself. In season two, Mark and his friends learn the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier, leading them further down a path of woe.
“Pluribus”
Starring Rhea Seehorn and created by Vince Gilligan, “Pluribus” is a genre-bending original in which the most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.
“Slow Horses”
This darkly funny espionage drama follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve in a dumping ground department of MI5 due to their career-ending mistakes. Led by their brilliant but irascible leader, the notorious Jackson Lamb (Academy Award winner Sir Gary Oldman), they navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.
“The Studio”
In “The Studio,” Seth Rogen stars as Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of embattled Continental Studios. As movies struggle to stay alive and relevant, Matt and his core team of infighting executives battle their insecurities as they wrangle narcissistic artists and craven corporate overlords in the ever-elusive pursuit of making great films. With their power suits masking their never-ending sense of panic, every party, set visit, casting decision, marketing meeting and award show presents them with an opportunity for glittering success or career-ending catastrophe. As someone who eats, sleeps and breathes movies, it’s the job Matt’s been pursuing his whole life, and it may very well destroy him.
“The Morning Show”
Season four of “The Morning Show” opens in spring 2024, almost two years after the events of season three. With the UBA-NBN merger complete, the newsroom must grapple with newfound responsibility, hidden motives and the elusive nature of truth in a polarized America. In a world rife with deepfakes, conspiracy theories and corporate cover-ups — who can you trust? And how can you know what’s actually real? Along with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, the star-studded season four ensemble cast includes Billy Crudup, Karen Pittman, Nicole Beharie, Nestor Carbonell, Mark Duplass, Greta Lee, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Aaron Pierre, William Jackson Harper, Boyd Holbrook and returning fan-favorite Jon Hamm.
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.
MacDailyNews Take: Congratulations to all of the casts and crews on your Golden Globe Awards nominations!
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 for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a ltv.apple.com,imited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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Apple scores top nominations for the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards
Apple TV has ben recognized with 26 total nominations across 10 programs for the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards. With a record 19 television nominations, top category nods included seven total nominations for acclaimed film “F1,” following its global release as the highest-grossing sports feature of all time, as well as Best Drama Series for culture-defining phenomena “Severance” and “Pluribus;” Best Comedy Series for “The Studio,” which also recently became the most Emmy-winning freshman comedy in history; Best Limited Series for the Gotham Award-nominated “Dope Thief” and Spirit Award winner “Chief of War”; Best Movie Made for Television for fan-favorite “The Gorge”; and Best Foreign Language Series for Imagen Award-winning “Acapulco.” Beloved drama “The Morning Show” and acclaimed comedy “Murderbot” also scored key acting nods. The winners will be revealed on Sunday, January 4, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Apple Original Films’ “F1” scored seven nominations in total including Best Song for Ed Sheeran, John Mayer and Blake Slatkin’s “Drive”; Best Score by Hans Zimmer; Best Cinematography by Claudio Miranda; Best Editing by Stephen Mirrione; Best Visual Effects by Ryan Tudhope, Nikeah Forde, Robert Harrington, Nicolas Chevallier, Eric Leven, Edward Price and Keith Dawson; Best Sound by Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, Juan Peralta and Gareth John; and Best Stunt Design by Gary Powell, Luciano Bacheta and Craig Dolby.
Apple TV earned top acting nominations, including Best Actor in a Drama Series for Adam Scott, Best Actress in a Drama Series for Britt Lower, and Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Tramell Tillman for “Severance,” while “Pluribus” lands a Best Actress in a Drama Series nod for lead Rhea Seehorn. “The Studio” scored nominations for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for Seth Rogen and Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Ike Barinholtz, while “Dope Thief” scored nods for Best Actor in a Limited Series for Brian Tyree Henry and Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for Wagner Moura. Apple’s global hit and award-winning drama “The Morning Show” lands Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Billy Crudup, Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Nicole Beharie, and Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Greta Lee, while “Murderbot” earns a nod for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for Alexander Skarsgård.
These nominations mark Apple’s most recent recognition from the Critics Choice Awards following wins earlier this year for Best Limited Documentary Series and Best Biographical Documentary “Mr. Scorsese” at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards as well as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Michael Urie in “Shrinking,” and wins for Best Foreign Language Series “Pachinko” and Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for Paul Walter Hauser for “Black Bird” in 2023. In 2022, “Ted Lasso” swept the top comedy categories for the second consecutive year with four awards in total, including back-to-back awards for Best Comedy Series, Best Actor in a Comedy Series and Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, as well as for Brett Goldstein in the Best Supporting Actor category. The broadly acclaimed, Academy Award-winning Apple Original Film “CODA” was also honored in 2022, with star Troy Kotsur winning Best Supporting Actor, becoming the first Deaf actor to win a Critics Choice Award.
To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 649 wins and 2,944 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” and Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
Apple TV received 26 total nominations for the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards, including:
“F1”
• Best Cinematography — Claudio Miranda
• Best Editing — Stephen Mirrione
• Best Visual Effects — Ryan Tudhope, Nikeah Forde, Robert Harrington, Nicolas Chevallier, Eric Leven, Edward Price, Keith Dawson
• Best Stunt Design — Gary Powell, Luciano Bacheta, Craig Dolby
• Best Song — “Drive” by Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Blake Slatkin
• Best Score — Hans Zimmer
• Best Sound — Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, Juan Peralta, Gareth John
“Severance”
• Best Drama
• Best Actress in a Drama Series — Britt Lower
• Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — Tramell Tillman
“Pluribus”
• Best Drama
• Best Actress in a Drama Series — Rhea Seehorn
“The Studio”
• Best Comedy
• Best Actor in a Comedy Series — Seth Rogen
• Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series — Ike Barinholtz
“Dope Thief”
• Best Limited Series
• Best Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie Made for Television — Brian Tyree Henry
• Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie Made for Television — Wagner Moura
“Chief of War”
• Best Limited Series
“The Gorge”
• Best Movie Made for Television
“Acapulco”
• Best Foreign Language Series
“The Morning Show”
• Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — Billy Crudup
• Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — Nicole Beharie
• Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — Greta Lee
“Murderbot”
• Best Actor in a Comedy Series — Alexander Skarsgård
All programs are currently streaming on Apple TV.
“F1”
Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team’s hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition — and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.
“Severance”
In “Severance,” Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure that surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. This daring experiment in “work-life balance” is called into question as Mark finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work … and of himself. In season two, Mark and his friends learn the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier, leading them further down a path of woe.
“Pluribus”
“Pluribus” is a genre-bending original in which the most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.
“The Studio”
In “The Studio,” Seth Rogen stars as Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of embattled Continental Studios. As movies struggle to stay alive and relevant, Matt and his core team of infighting executives battle their insecurities as they wrangle narcissistic artists and craven corporate overlords in the ever-elusive pursuit of making great films. With their power suits masking their never-ending sense of panic, every party, set visit, casting decision, marketing meeting and award show presents them with an opportunity for glittering success or career-ending catastrophe. As someone who eats, sleeps and breathes movies, it’s the job Matt’s been pursuing his whole life, and it may very well destroy him.
“Dope Thief”
Based on Dennis Tafoya’s book “Dope Thief,” the series follows long-time Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside, only to have their small-time grift become a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern Seaboard.
“Chief of War”
Performed by a predominantly Polynesian cast led by Jason Momoa, “Chief of War” follows the epic and unprecedented telling of the unification and colonization of Hawai‘i at the turn of the 18th century. The ensemble cast includes Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale‘o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka and Te Kohe Tuhaka.
“The Gorge”
Two highly-trained operatives (Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy) are appointed to posts in guard towers on opposite sides of a vast and highly classified gorge, protecting the world from an undisclosed, mysterious evil that lurks within. They bond from a distance while trying to stay vigilant in defending against an unseen enemy. When the cataclysmic threat to humanity is revealed to them, they must work together in a test of both their physical and mental strength to keep the secret in the gorge before it’s too late.
“Acapulco”
In season four, present-day Máximo (Eugenio Derbez) works tirelessly to restore Las Colinas to its former glory before the grand reopening. In 1986, when a competitor claims the number one spot in the annual ranking of Acapulco’s “Best Hotels,” young Máximo (Enrique Arrizon) will do whatever it takes to get back on top and secure Las Colinas’ future.
“The Morning Show”
Season four of “The Morning Show” opens in spring 2024, almost two years after the events of season three. With the UBA-NBN merger complete, the newsroom must grapple with newfound responsibility, hidden motives and the elusive nature of truth in a polarized America. In a world rife with deepfakes, conspiracy theories and corporate cover-ups — who can you trust? And how can you know what’s actually real? Along with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, the star-studded season four ensemble cast includes Billy Crudup, Karen Pittman, Nicole Beharie, Nestor Carbonell, Mark Duplass, Greta Lee, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Aaron Pierre, William Jackson Harper, Boyd Holbrook and returning fan-favorite Jon Hamm.
“Murderbot”
Based on Martha Wells’ bestselling Hugo and Nebula Award-winning book series, “Murderbot” is a sci-fi thriller/comedy about a self-hacking security construct who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable clients. Murderbot must hide its free will and complete a dangerous assignment when all it really wants is to be left alone to watch futuristic soap operas and figure out its place in the universe.
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.
MacDailyNews Take: Congratulations to all of the casts and crews on your Critics Choice Awards nominations!
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 for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a ltv.apple.com,imited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
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Apple chip chief Srouji tells staff he’s not leaving ‘anytime soon’
Hardware Technologies
After Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman reported over the weekend that Johny Srouji, who oversees Apple’s chip division, had discussed leaving the company, Srouji subsequently told staff in a memo that he’s staying with the Cupertino Colossus.
Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News:
“I know you’ve been reading all kind of rumors and speculations about my future at Apple, and I feel that you need to hear from me directly,” he said in a memo to his division. “I am proud of the amazing Technologies we all build across Displays, Cameras, Sensors, Silicon, Batteries, and a very wide set of technologies, across all of Apple Products. Together we enable the best products in the world. I love my team, and I love my job at Apple, and I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.”
MacDailyNews Take: Define “soon.” Just kidding! It sounds like Srouji is staying put. Hopefully, he was nicely compensated for doing so!
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Apple Manufacturing Academy launches virtual programming to train more American businesses
Apple today expanded its Apple Manufacturing Academy with new virtual programming. The world-class manufacturing training was created for small- and medium-sized businesses across the country that want to accelerate their ability to innovate and adopt advanced technologies. Designed by Apple experts, the free resource reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to strengthening the country’s advanced manufacturing sector. The initiative is part of Apple’s plan to invest $600 billion in the U.S. economy over the next four years and power the next generation of domestic innovation.
“At Apple, we believe in the power of American ingenuity, and we’re proud to be delivering even more options to support small- and medium-sized companies across the country,” said Sabih Khan, Apple’s chief operating officer, in a statement. “By bringing the Apple Manufacturing Academy curriculum online, we’re opening the door for even more businesses and workers to build cutting-edge expertise, helping fuel U.S. competitiveness and support the growth of advanced manufacturing nationwide.”
Available starting today, the virtual courses cover a wide range of topics focused on advanced manufacturing, including automation, predictive maintenance, quality control optimization, and machine learning with vision. Additionally, the program offers professional development training in areas like communication and presentation skills, equipping participants with comprehensive resources to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. This initial set of online materials represents the first phase of the Apple Manufacturing Academy curriculum, and it will be continuously expanded as the program evolves.
Launched in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU), the Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit first opened its doors in August and has since provided hands-on training and consultation to more than 80 businesses from states including Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Utah. Building on that momentum, the new virtual programming — developed by MSU faculty and industry experts from Apple — expands access to this curriculum, enabling business owners and entrepreneurs to strengthen and scale their domestic manufacturing capabilities through a flexible, on-demand digital learning experience.
MacDailyNews Note: To learn more about the Apple Manufacturing Academy, or to enroll in virtual programming, businesses can visit manufacturingacademy.msu.edu.
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Paramount launches hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros Discovery, says $108.4 billion offer is ‘superior’ to Netflix deal
In a bold move shaking up the media industry, Paramount Global — backed by Skydance Corporation — unveiled a hostile all-cash tender offer on December 8, 2025, to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) in full for $30 per share, valuing the company at an enterprise level of $108.4 billion. The aggressive proposal, which bypasses WBD’s board and goes straight to shareholders, positions itself as a clear upgrade over Netflix’s recently inked $27.75-per-share deal for WBD’s film and TV studios plus HBO Max, arguing it delivers greater certainty, value, and a smoother path to completion. Unlike Netflix’s cash-and-stock mix targeting only select assets and leaving out cable networks like TNT, HGTV, and struggling CNN, Paramount’s bid encompasses the entire WBD portfolio, including its struggling linear TV operations. This escalation comes amid a flurry of dealmaking in a sector battered by cord-cutting, streaming wars, and mounting debt, raising fresh questions about antitrust hurdles and Hollywood’s consolidation trajectory.
Paramount CEO David Ellison, whose family has poured significant resources into the company, didn’t mince words in criticizing WBD’s handling of the auction process. “WBD shareholders deserve an opportunity to consider our superior all-cash offer for their shares in the entire company,” Ellison stated in the announcement. “Our public offer, which is on the same terms we provided to the Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors in private, provides superior value, and a more certain and quicker path to completion.” He went further, accusing the board of favoring a lesser alternative: “We believe the WBD Board of Directors is pursuing an inferior proposal.” Ellison framed the bid as a lifeline for the broader entertainment ecosystem, emphasizing its potential to invigorate content creation and distribution. “We believe our offer will create a stronger Hollywood,” he said. “It is in the best interests of the creative community, consumers and the movie theater industry. We believe they will benefit from the enhanced competition, higher content spend and theatrical release output, and a greater number of movies in theaters as a result of our proposed transaction. We look forward to working to expeditiously deliver this opportunity so that all stakeholders can begin to capitalize on the benefits of the combined company.”
Financially, the offer packs a punch, commanding a 139% premium over WBD’s undisturbed share price of $12.54 as of September 10, 2025— far outstripping Netflix’s blended valuation of $27.75 per share (comprising $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in stock, subject to market collars and Netflix’s performance). The Netflix arrangement, announced just days earlier, carries an enterprise value of $82.7 billion and excludes WBD’s Global Networks segment, saddling remaining shareholders with an “uncertain future trading value” for those cable assets, according to Paramount. By contrast, Paramount’s all-cash structure sidesteps stock volatility and promises $18 billion more in immediate proceeds for WBD holders. The tender offer is set to run until 5 p.m. ET on January 8, 2026, unless extended, and has already secured unanimous board approval at Paramount, complete with SEC filings like a Schedule TO statement.
The strategic pitch from Paramount paints a picture of a merged powerhouse that would rival streaming behemoths while safeguarding traditional media pillars. It accuses WBD’s board of ignoring six private overtures over 12 weeks, opting instead for a Netflix pact that Paramount deems “anticompetitive” and ripe for regulatory roadblocks. The Netflix deal, critics argue, would balloon the platform’s global SVOD subscriber share to 43%, entrenching a monopoly and inviting “multiple protracted regulatory challenges worldwide.” Paramount, however, touts its bid as “pro-consumer” and competition-boosting, fostering more choice for talent, higher investments in original programming, and a commitment to theatrical releases—benefits that could sustain movie theaters amid digital disruption. To underscore the alleged process flaws, Paramount’s legal team at Quinn Emanuel fired off a pointed letter to WBD leadership, obtained by multiple outlets: “It has become increasingly clear, through media reporting and otherwise, that WBD appears to have abandoned the semblance and reality of a fair transaction process, thereby abdicating its duties to stockholders.”
This isn’t the first sign of friction in the WBD saga. FOX Business’ Charlie Gasparino had earlier flagged the potential for a hostile play, citing Ellison’s frustrations with what he called an “unfair process.” The backdrop includes Netflix’s $72 billion asset grab drawing bipartisan antitrust scrutiny, with the Senate prepping an “intense” hearing and even President Donald Trump voicing concerns at a recent event, warning the merger could spell trouble under competition laws. Paramount’s move injects fresh uncertainty, potentially triggering a $2.8 billion breakup fee if it upends the Netflix pact, while offering WBD shareholders a direct vote on their future.
With WBD shares already volatile from the Netflix news, this tender offer could spark a bidding frenzy or legal showdown, testing the limits of media M&A in a Trump-era regulatory environment. For now, Paramount’s Ellison remains defiant, betting that shareholders will see the value in a full-throated defense of Hollywood’s old guard against the Netflix streaming overlord.
MacDailyNews Take: Not so fast, Netflix.
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Apple Fitness+ expands to 28 new markets in its largest expansion since launch
Apple on Monday announced Apple Fitness+, the award-winning fitness and wellness service, is expanding to 28 new markets — including Chile, Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, and more — on December 15, with Japan launching early next year. As part of the service’s largest expansion since it was unveiled five years ago, hundreds of Fitness+ workouts and meditations will be digitally dubbed with a generated voice in Spanish, German, and Japanese, with more dubbed episodes added every week. Fitness+ is also introducing a new music genre to the service, K-Pop.
“Through its seamless integration across Apple devices, Fitness+ has helped inspire users to live a healthier day,” said Jay Blahnik, Apple’s vice president of Fitness Technologies, in a statement. “From seeing real-time, personal metrics right onscreen with Apple Watch or AirPods Pro 3, to the ability to bring the service with you wherever you go on iPhone or iPad, we’re delivering unmatched motivation to users. We couldn’t be more excited to bring this experience to even more users around the globe with our biggest expansion yet.”
With this expansion, users in 49 countries and regions around the world can access the service’s 12 different workout types — including Strength, Yoga, HIIT, Pilates, Dance, Cycling, Kickboxing, and Meditation — with episodes ranging from five to 45 minutes on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. Users can supercharge their Fitness+ workouts with Apple Watch, or use AirPods Pro 3 and view personal metrics directly onscreen,1 such as heart rate, calories burned, progress on their Activity rings,2 and the Burn Bar,3 which lets users compare their effort to others who have done the same workout. With Custom Plans, Fitness+ automatically creates a personalized schedule based on users’ workout and meditation preferences, including their top activities, durations, trainers, music, and more.
Dubbing in Spanish, German, and Japanese
To help make Fitness+ even more welcoming to users around the world, the service is introducing digitally dubbed versions of workouts and meditations in Spanish and German, with Japanese dubbing to follow early next year alongside the availability of the service in Japan. The dubbed workouts and meditations feature a generated voice based on the actual voice of each of the 28 Fitness+ trainers.
Each week, users can find new episodes dubbed in these three languages, along with the original English versions. Users can choose their preferred audio language in the audio controller after starting a dubbed workout or meditation. Additionally, if users select Spanish, German, or Japanese in the Fitness app’s settings, the episode will automatically play in that language if dubbing is available.
Get Ready to Move with K-Pop
Fitness+ is turning up the volume with a new K-Pop music genre that will be available across all workout types with global hits from top artists. K-Pop joins existing music genres including Upbeat Anthems, Latest Hits, Hip-Hop/R&B, Latin Grooves, and more.
More Ways to Stay Motivated with Fitness+
• Custom Plans make it easier than ever to follow a personalized schedule. Stay Consistent offers a premade schedule that fits users’ routines. Push Further adds workout time or more sessions for those seeking a challenge. Get Started provides those new to Fitness+ with a ready-made plan based on activities they selected when they first started their subscription or popular activities.
• The Artist Spotlight series, which dedicates entire workout playlists to a single artist, features music from some of the world’s biggest artists, including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, BTS, Selena Gomez, Coldplay, and more.
• Time to Walk — Apple’s award-winning audio experience on iPhone and Apple Watch, designed to help people walk more often — allows users to walk alongside some of the world’s most interesting and influential people as they share stories, photos, and songs, including Cynthia Erivo, Daddy Yankee, Naomi Campbell, Camila Cabello, Simu Liu, Shawn Mendes, Jane Fonda, and more. The latest episode, featuring Formula 1® driver Yuki Tsunoda, is available starting today.
• Collections, a curated series of workouts and meditations from the Fitness+ library, are organized to help users reach their goals or find workouts that fit their interests, including Run Your First 5K, Pilates for More Than Your Core, No Shoes Workouts, So Fresh! 90s Dance, and more.
• Users can explore 12 unique meditation themes, including Calm, Sleep, and Sound, featuring easy-to-follow techniques that can help them recharge, better connect with themselves and others, and have more mindful moments throughout their day.
Pricing and Availability
• Apple Fitness+ is available as a subscription service for $9.99 (U.S.) per month or $79.99 (U.S.) per year, and can be shared with up to five other family members.
• Fitness+ is available today in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S. The service will be available in Chile, Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Vietnam, and 17 other countries and regions beginning December 15.
• Digital dubbing in German and Spanish will be available beginning December 15, and requires iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and tvOS 26.1.
Fitness+ will be available in Japan beginning early next year, along with Japanese dubbing.
• Three months of Apple Fitness+ are included for customers who purchase any new Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV capable of running the latest operating system software, AirPods Pro 3, or Powerbeats Pro 2 purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller.
• Apple Fitness+ requires iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16.1 or later; or Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 7.2 or later, paired with iPhone 6s or later with iOS 14.3 or later.
MacDailyNews Take: For Apple Fitness+ users who find themselves on a treadmill during bad weather or for any other reason, we highly recommend the Apple Fitness+ treadmill running workouts led by Emily Fayette. She’ll keep you running!
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Apple’s chip chief Johny Srouji ‘seriously considering leaving in the near future’
Hardware Technologies
In an era of relentless innovation and fierce competition in the tech industry, Apple finds itself grappling with a troubling wave of executive departures that threaten to disrupt its storied leadership pipeline. As of late 2023, high-profile exits from key figures like Chief Design Officer Jony Ive and more recent losses in hardware and software realms have raised alarms about internal morale and strategic direction. At the epicenter of this turmoil stands Johny Srouji, Apple’s long-serving senior vice president of Hardware Technologies, whose potential exit could ripple through the company’s silicon ambitions, from custom chips powering iPhones to the AI-driven future of Macs.
Johny Srouji — senior vice president of hardware technologies and one of Apple’s most respected executives — recently told Cook that he is seriously considering leaving in the near future, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Srouji, the architect of Apple’s prized in-house chips effort, has informed colleagues that he intends to join another company if he ultimately departs.
At the same time, AI talent has been fleeing for tech rivals — with Meta Platforms Inc., OpenAI and a variety of startups poaching many of Apple’s engineers. That threatens to hamper the company’s efforts to catch up in artificial intelligence, an area where it’s struggled to make a mark.
Within the company, some of the departures are cause for deep concern — with Cook looking to stave off more with stronger compensation packages for key talent. In other cases, the exits just reflect the fact that veteran executives are nearing retirement age. Still, many of the shifts constitute a disconcerting brain drain.
While Cook maintains that Apple is working on the most innovative product lineup in its history — a slate that’s expected to include foldable iPhones and iPads, smart glasses, and robots — Apple hasn’t launched a successful new product category in a decade…
Cook turned 65 last month, fueling speculation that he would join the exodus. People close to the executive have said that he’s unlikely to leave soon, though succession planning has been underway for years… For now, Cook remains active at Apple and travels extensively on behalf of the company. However, the executive does have an unexplained tremor that causes his hands to shake from time to time — something that’s been discussed among Apple employees in recent months.
The shaking has been noticed by both executives and rank-and-file staff during meetings and large company gatherings, according to people familiar with the matter…
Cook has been working aggressively to retain him — an effort that included offering a substantial pay package and the potential of more responsibility down the road.
MacDailyNews Take: From John Browett to John Giannandrea, Cook has a long history of hiring VPs who do not work out. With Apple’s current high-profile exodus of executives in full swing, Cook has his hands full and Srouji has tremendous leverage. He’s smart to use it.
live footage of Tim Cook offering Apple head of chip design Johny Srouji a new contract to keep making custom silicon for iPhone and iPad https://t.co/Xu4bQBpxjp pic.twitter.com/Z8AnBgn5vr
— Trung Phan (@TrungTPhan) December 7, 2025
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Speculation intensifies on Apple’s CEO succession plan and possible contenders
In the ever-evolving landscape of Big Tech, succession planning at Apple has emerged as a focal point of intrigue, blending whispers of health concerns with high-stakes talent scouting. A compelling report by The Information, “Why Silicon Valley is Buzzing About Apple CEO Succession,” authored by Aaron Tilley and Wayne Ma, unpacks this phenomenon with insider insights from executives, investors, and Apple confidants. Published in late 2024, the article — accessible via subscription — highlights how these discussions are no longer fringe chatter but central to boardroom agendas and venture capital strategies. As Tim Cook, Apple’s steadfast leader since 2011, navigates his mid-60s, the piece reveals a company grappling with continuity amid innovation pressures and personal vulnerabilities.
A poignant detail fueling the buzz is the report’s description of Cook’s visible hand tremors, observed during recent public appearances. Sources cited by Tilley and Ma note that these tremors, which have become more apparent in the last year, have sparked private concerns among Apple’s inner circle and Silicon Valley observers. While not officially diagnosed in the article, the condition is portrayed as a subtle but telling sign of Cook’s advancing age (he’s 64). One anonymous executive quoted in the piece remarked, “It’s not dramatic, but it’s there — enough to make people wonder about the timeline.” This health revelation has reportedly prompted more frequent board discussions on succession, accelerating what was once a long-term exercise into a more urgent priority. The article emphasizes that while Cook remains energetic and engaged, these tremors symbolize broader anxieties about leadership transitions in an era where CEO vitality directly impacts trillion-dollar valuations.
Hartley Charlton for MacRumors:
[John] Ternus is considered to be the most likely candidate to succeed Cook as CEO. The report notes that he is more likely to become CEO than software head chief Craig Federighi, Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan, or marketing head Greg Joswiak…
However, some voices in the company believe that Ternus is not ready to take on the role, which could delay a succession announcement. Some skeptics inside the company say that Ternus is too risk averse, leading to frustrations within his group. For example, some in Apple’s hardware engineering department were disappointed that Ternus declined to fund more ambitious projects.
One of these individuals was vice president Tang Tan, who now leads OpenAI’s project to build an AI hardware device designed by Apple’s former chief designer, Jony Ive. Tan and Ive have since poached a large number of hardware engineers from Ternus’ team to work on the unreleased device. Other critics say that Ternus “isn’t a charismatic leader” and has had little involvement in the geopolitical affairs that have dominated the attention of Cook in recent years.
While Craig Federighi could succeed Cook due to his high profile, there are concerns that his focus on software may make him a poor fit for the role. He apparently prefers tackling technical problems rather than dealing with the kind of broader issues that the role of CEO demands.
Federighi is also risk-averse and voiced disproval over the Apple’s spending on the Vision Pro and its now-canceled self-driving car project. He was also initially skeptical about AI, believing that the technology was overhyped and too unpredictable…
Senior Apple employees are said to be so sure of the likelihood of major management changes at the company, which could open up new opportunities, that they have raised the situation to many who have tried to recruit them.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple fairly screams for a charismatic outsider to inject new vision, excitement, and drive into the company.
As we wrote in July:
For its NeXT CEO, Apple needs relative YOUTH, not another 50- or 60-something calcified company lifer who was part of the so-called team that blindly missed the GenAI paradigm shift.
Steve Jobs was 42 years old when he returned to Apple as interim CEO in September 1997. pic.twitter.com/Bk0kdul7QF
— MacDailyNews (@MacDailyNews) July 10, 2025
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Apple may use Intel to fabricate some iPhone chips by 2028
According to a recent research note from analyst Jeff Pu at GF Securities — obtained by MacRumors — Intel is now anticipated to secure a supply agreement with Apple for certain non-Pro iPhone chips as early as 2028. This would build on existing expectations that Intel will already provide chips for some Mac and iPad models in the coming years, potentially deepening the two companies’ collaboration.
Joe Rossignol for MacRumors:
The non-pro iPhone chips would be manufactured with Intel’s future 14A process, according to Pu.
The research note did not provide any other details about these potential plans, but based on the stated timeframe, Intel could start supplying Apple with the A22 chip for devices like the “iPhone 20” and “iPhone 20e” in around three years from now.
Apple would continue to design iPhone chips, and Intel would start to handle a smaller percentage of manufacturing alongside Apple’s primary chipmaker TSMC.
Last month, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expects Intel to begin shipping Apple’s lowest-end M-series chip for select Mac and iPad models as early as mid-2027. For this, Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel’s 18A process, which is the “earliest available sub-2nm advanced node manufactured in North America.”
MacDailyNews Take: Again, this would be a win-win for Apple as it’d foster American manufacturing while creating a second supplier of low-end chips made stamped via a less advanced process.
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Apple releases revised tvOS 26.2 RC for Apple TV 4K
On Wednesday, Apple shipped RC (release candidate) versions of its upcoming 26.2 software updates, but just one day later, Apple released a revised RC build for tvOS 26.2. Apple’s initial RC had build number 23K51, but the newer release is build 23K53.
Ryan Christoffel for 9to5Mac:
Apple is expected to launch its lineup of 26.2 software updates as early as next week, headlined by iOS 26.2.
On the Apple TV 4K side, tvOS 26.2 introduces a couple new features that relate specifically to user profiles.
1. You can now create new profiles without an accompanying Apple Account.
2. Children’s profiles will now limit content in Apple’s TV app to titles that are age-appropriate.
The update also brings general bug fixes and performance improvements.
MacDailyNews Take: Some bad bug must have been quickly identified and corrected. We’ll be happy to soon have tvOS 26.2 publicly released with the ability to create new profiles without accompanying Apple Accounts and limiting kid’s profiles to age-appropriate fare!
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FIFA World Cup fever hits D.C. as Apple TV offers free streaming of MLS Cup this Saturday
Amid the electric buzz of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final draw at the Kennedy Center, where 48 nations learned their group-stage fates in the historic North American tournament, Apple dropped a game-changer for U.S. soccer fans: the 2025 MLS Cup will stream absolutely free on Apple TV this Saturday, December 6th. The announcement, timed perfectly with the global soccer spotlight on the nation’s capital, promises to crown a new champion — Inter Miami CF versus Vancouver Whitecaps FC — as millions tune in without a paywall, complete with cutting-edge iPhone 17 Pro Max footage for an immersive broadcast experience.
U.S. President Donald Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize by FIFA president Gianni Infantino at Friday’s 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C.
Adding to the day’s diplomatic flair, U.S. President Donald Trump was honored with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, a newly minted accolade from soccer’s governing body recognizing “exceptional actions for peace that unite the world.” Presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the draw ceremony, the award lauds Trump’s role in brokering a Gaza ceasefire and securing the release of Israeli hostages, marking the significance of his global mediation efforts. With world leaders from co-hosts Canada and Mexico in attendance, the event underscored soccer’s power to bridge divides, setting the stage for a summer showdown across the continent.
A new champion will be crowned this Saturday, December 6th, as Inter Miami CF hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the 2025 MLS Cup presented by Audi — the culmination of Major League Soccer’s historic 30th season. The match will stream free in over 100 countries and regions on Apple TV at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Saturday will mark the MLS Cup debut for both teams, ensuring a first-time champion to cap the league’s 30th season. The matchup also features the first MLS meeting between international soccer icons Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller. Inter Miami defeated New York City FC 5-1 to clinch the club’s first Eastern Conference championship. The Vancouver Whitecaps clinched the Western Conference Final, defeating San Diego FC 3-1 on the road.
Apple TV offers a breadth of options for watching the championship match live, including through the Apple TV app on Apple devices, Android devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, as well as on the web at tv.apple.com,. The MLS Cup will also be broadcast live in Times Square in the heart of New York City on SILVERCAST Media’s high-definition Mega-Zilla, a digital TV display spanning an entire city block.
Broadcast enhancements for the season finale include more than 30 cameras — the most of any MLS Cup — including goal robotic cameras, a referee cam, dedicated ISO cams on coaches and players, and drone coverage. In a first for a live MLS broadcast, MLS Cup 2025 will integrate additional live game footage captured on four iPhone 17 Pro Max positioned throughout Chase Stadium, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before.
With the free Apple Sports app for iPhone, users can enjoy play-by-play information, team stats, lineup details, live betting odds, and Live Activities.
MacDailyNews Note: Coverage will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV with pregame shows MLS Countdown and MLS La Previa broadcasting live from Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The match will feature English commentary from Jake Zivin, Taylor Twellman, and Jillian Sakovits, and Spanish commentary from Sammy Sadovnik, Diego Valeri, and Antonella González. Postgame recap shows MLS Wrap-Up and MLS El Resumen will also broadcast live from the venue.
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Apple TV debuts trailer for ‘Born to be Wild’
Apple TV on Friday unveiled the trailer for the all-new wildlife series “Born to be Wild,” narrated by SAG Award winner Hugh Bonneville (“Paddington,” “Downton Abbey,” “The Secret Lives of Animals”). Filmed over several years across five countries, the six-part documentary series follows six endangered young animals as they grow up in our world but are destined to return to theirs. At the heart of “Born to Be Wild” lies a powerful truth: in the face of extinction, survival often depends on the extraordinary bonds between humans and animals. “Born to be Wild” premieres worldwide on Friday, December 19th, on Apple TV.
From their earliest days to their journey into the wild, the series highlights the challenges, triumphs and resilience that define their survival — both for the animals and the remarkable people working to raise and protect them. As each animal finds its place in the world after being orphaned or born through conservation programs — from an elephant calf and two young cheetahs, to a ring-tailed lemur pup, a moon bear cub, Iberian lynx kittens, and rescued African penguins — “Born to be Wild” offers an intimate and emotional look at the powerful relationships between these animals and the heroic humans dedicated to raising, rehabilitating, and rewilding them to help save their species.
A co-production between Tailfeather Productions and Offspring Films for Apple TV, “Born to be Wild” is executive produced by Lucy van Beek (“Wild Tales from the Farm,” Stephen Hawking’s “The Search for a New Earth,” “Britain from Above”) for Tailfeather Productions, and by IDA Award nominee Alex Williamson (“Earth At Night In Color,” “Earthsounds,” “Big Cats”) and Isla Robertson (“Earth At Night In Color,” “Big Beasts: Last of the Giants,” “Animals at Play”) for Offspring Films. Tom Payne serves as series producer.
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 646 wins and 2,917 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” and Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
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 or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
MacDailyNews Take: Get your motor runnin’!
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Apple issues huge state-backed hacking warning to users worldwide
Apple, which pioneered cyber threat notifications in 2021 to alert users of potential state-sponsored spyware attacks, and follower Google, which eventually followed suit with its own similar program in 2023, have sent a new round of such warnings to users around the world this week. The companies announced their latest effort to insulate customers against surveillance threats.
Apple and the Alphabet-owned Google are two of several tech companies that regularly issue warnings to users when they determine they may have been targeted by state-backed hackers.
Reuters:
Apple said the warnings were issued on Dec. 2 but gave few further details about the alleged hacking activity and did not address questions about the number of users targeted or say who was thought to be conducting the surveillance. Apple said that “to date we have notified users in over 150 countries in total.”
Google’s Dec. 3 announcement [stated] that it was warning all known users targeted using Intellexa spyware, which it said spanned “several hundred accounts across various countries, including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and Tajikistan.”
Google said in its announcement that Intellexa, a cyber intelligence company that is sanctioned by the U.S. government, was “evading restrictions and thriving.”
MacDailyNews Note: Learn more about Apple’s threat notifications and protecting against mercenary spyware here.
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Apple TV comedy ‘Platonic,’ starring Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne, lands season three renewal
Apple TV on Friday announced a season three renewal for “Platonic,” the acclaimed, global hit comedy starring and executive produced by Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne. “Platonic” season two debuted with an impressive 100% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics declaring Rogen and Byrne “the perfect match” with “sensational physical comedy” and “wildly funny banter.” Co-created by Nicholas Stoller and Francesca Delbanco, “Platonic” has also been hailed as “one of television’s best half-hour comedies.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to get back into the world of ‘Platonic’ with our amazing partners, Rose and Seth and Sony and Apple,” said co-creators Stoller and Delbanco in a statement.
“‘Platonic’ is proof there is no duo better at making us belly laugh at midlife crises than Seth and Rose,” said Matt Cherniss, head of programming for Apple TV, in a statement. “Nick and Francesca accomplished the rare feat of taking the show to the next level in season two, and, along with our partners at Sony, we can’t wait to see what they cook up for season three.”
“Platonic” follows a platonic pair of former best friends approaching midlife (Rogen and Byrne) who reconnect after a long rift. The duo’s friendship becomes all consuming — and destabilizes their lives in a hilarious way. Season two picks up with everyone’s favorite pair of best friends as they contend with new midlife hurdles, including work, weddings and partners in crises. The duo tries their best to be each other’s rock, but sometimes rocks break things. The season two cast also includes Luke Macfarlane and Carla Gallo, and introduces Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett and Milo Manheim as guest stars.
“Platonic” is produced by Sony Pictures Television, where Stoller’s Stoller Global Solutions has an overall deal. Byrne, Stoller, Delbanco and Conor Welch executive produce, along with Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weaver for Point Grey Pictures.
In addition to “Platonic,” Rogen stars in Apple TV’s celebrated hit comedy “The Studio,” which recently landed 23 Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series, making it the most-nominated freshman comedy series in history. Rogen wrote, directed and executive produced “The Studio” alongside Goldberg. Byrne also stars in Apple TV’s dark comedy “Physical.”
Catch up on the complete first and second seasons of “Platonic,” now streaming globally on Apple TV.
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 646 wins and 2,917 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” and Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
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 or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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Apple’s General Counsel Kate Adams to retire late next year
Apple today announced that Jennifer Newstead will become Apple’s General Counsel on March 1, 2026, following a transition of duties from Kate Adams, who has served as Apple’s General Counsel since 2017. She will join Apple as senior vice president in January, reporting to CEO Tim Cook and serving on Apple’s executive team.
Lisa Jackson, vice president for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, will retire in late January 2026. The Government Affairs organization will transition to Adams, who will oversee the team until her retirement late next year, after which it will be led by Newstead. Newstead’s title will become senior vice president, General Counsel and Government Affairs, reflecting the combining of the two organizations. The Environment and Social Initiatives teams will report to Apple chief operating officer Sabih Khan.
“Kate has been an integral part of the company for the better part of a decade, having provided critical advice while always advocating on behalf of our customers’ right to privacy and protecting Apple’s right to innovate,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a statement. “I am incredibly grateful to her for the leadership she has provided, for her remarkable determination across a myriad of highly complex issues, and above all, for her thoughtfulness, her deeply strategic mind, and her sound counsel.”
“We couldn’t be more pleased to have Jennifer join our team,” said Cook. “She brings an extraordinary depth of experience and skill to the role, and will advance Apple’s important work all over the world. We are also pleased that Jennifer will be overseeing both the Legal and Government Affairs organizations, given the increasing overlap between the work of both teams and her substantial background in international affairs. I know she will be an excellent leader going forward.”
“I have long admired Apple’s deep focus on innovation and strong commitment to its values, its customers, and to making the world a better place,” said Newstead. “I am honored to join the company and to lead an extraordinary team who are dedicated each and every day to doing what’s in the best interest of Apple’s users.”
“It has been one of the great privileges of my life to be a part of Apple, where our work has always been about standing up for the values that are the foundation of this great company,” said Adams. “I am proud of the good our wonderful team has done over the past eight years, and I am filled with gratitude for the chance to have made a difference. Jennifer is an exceptional talent and I am confident that I am leaving the team in the very best hands, and I’m really looking forward to working more closely with the Government Affairs team.”
Newstead was most recently chief legal officer at Meta and previously served as the legal adviser of the U.S. Department of State, where she led the legal team responsible for advising the Secretary of State on legal issues affecting the conduct of U.S. foreign relations. She held a range of other positions in government earlier in her career as well, including as general counsel of the White House Office of Management and Budget, as a principal deputy assistant attorney general of the Office of Legal Policy at the Department of Justice, as associate White House counsel, and as a law clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer of the U.S. Supreme Court. She also spent a dozen years as partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, where she advised global corporations on a wide variety of issues. Newstead holds an AB from Harvard University and a JD from Yale Law School.
MacDailyNews Take: Congratulations to Kate Adams on your retirement and to Jennifer Newstead on her new position!
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Apple TV drama ‘Your Friends & Neighbors,’ starring Jon Hamm, returns for season two on April 3rd
Apple TV on Wednesday revealed first look images and the season two premiere date for its critically acclaimed Jon Hamm-led drama “Your Friends & Neighbors.” From creator Jonathan Tropper, the 10-episode sophomore season will make its global debut on Apple TV with one episode on Friday, April 3, 2026, followed by one new episode weekly through Friday, June 5, 2026.
In season two, Andrew Cooper doubles down on his life as an unlikely suburban thief, until the arrival of a new neighbor threatens to expose his secrets and place his family at risk.
Emmy Award nominee James Marsden joins the cast, alongside returning stars Amanda Peet, Olivia Munn, Hoon Lee, Mark Tallman, Lena Hall, Aimee Carrero, Eunice Bae, Isabel Gravitt, and Donovan Colan.
Eunice Bae and Amanda Peet in Apple TV’s “Your Friends & Neighbors.”
Hailing from Apple Studios, “Your Friends & Neighbors” is created by bestselling author Tropper, who serves as showrunner, director and executive producer for Tropper Ink under his overall deal with Apple TV. In addition to starring, Hamm executive produces alongside Connie Tavel, Craig Gillespie, Jamie Rosengard, Lori Keith Douglas, and Stephanie Laing, who directs six episodes.
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 earned 644 wins and 2,916 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
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 or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
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Apple researchers unlock hidden heart data from Apple Watch sensor using AI
In the era of wearable technology, where a simple wristband can monitor steps, sleep, and even detect irregular heart rhythms, the Apple Watch stands as a beacon of innovation — blending sleek design with life-saving potential. Yet, beneath its optical heart sensor lies untapped power: photoplethysmography (PPG) signals that capture the subtle dance of blood flow through our veins. A groundbreaking new study from Apple researchers illuminates this frontier, revealing how artificial intelligence could unlock richer, more precise cardiac insights from these everyday readings.
Titled “Hybrid Modeling of Photoplethysmography for Non-Invasive Monitoring of Cardiovascular Parameters,” the research demonstrates a hybrid AI approach that sidesteps the limitations of traditional data-driven methods, paving the way for passive, long-term tracking of vital biomarkers like stroke volume and cardiac output. As hypertension notifications in watchOS 26 already hint at this future — potentially alerting over a million undiagnosed cases in its first year — this work doesn’t just advance science; it reimagines the Watch as a silent guardian of heart health, all without invasive tools or costly annotations.
[T]he researchers demonstrate that it is possible to estimate deeper cardiac metrics using a simple finger pulse sensor, also known as a photoplethysmograph (PPG), the same optical sensing modality used in the Apple Watch (though with different signal characteristics)…
Once the entire training process and model pipeline were in place, they picked an entirely new dataset “comprising APW and PPG signals from 128 patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, labeled with cardiovascular biomarkers.”
After running this data through the pipeline, they saw that it accurately tracked stroke volume and cardiac output trends, though not their exact absolute values.
Still, their method outperformed conventional techniques, showing that AI-assisted modeling can extract more meaningful heart insights from a simple optical sensor.
MacDailyNews Take: AI is rapidly changing our world.
Here’s the Apple researchers’ conclusion:
In this work we use a hybrid modeling approach to infer cardiovascular parameters from in-vivo PPG signals. Compared to purely data-driven approaches that struggle due to limited labeled data, our method achieves promising results by incorporating simulations and sidestepping the need for invasive and costly annotations. While other existing hybrid approaches for cardiovascular modeling either embed physical properties as structural constraints within neural networks or augment traditional physiological models with data-driven components, our method incorporates physical knowledge in the model through SBI…
Our results contribute to characterizing the informativeness of PPG signals for predicting cardiac biomarkers, and could extend beyond the ones considered in our experiments. While our results are promising in monitoring temporal trends, absolute value prediction of complex biomarkers remains challenging, and is a key direction for future work. Future work may also explore alternative generative approaches for the PPG-to-APW mapping, or investigate different architectural choices. Finally, a similar learning strategy than the one used here for finger PPG could extend to other modalities, including wearable PPG, and open the door to passive and long-term cardiac biomarker monitoring.
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It’s a wonder Apple’s so-called AI strategist John Giannandrea lasted so long
Apple’s AI chief, John Giannandrea, will finally exit the company after seven years at the helm, a move that gave the company’s stock a modest lift as investors interpreted it as a sign of heightened urgency to accelerate AI integration across its devices.
Apple announced in a Monday press release that Giannandrea will “retire” next spring, following a handover period.
Mark Sullivan for Fast Company:
While the reasons for Giannandrea’s departure are no doubt complicated, it’s a wonder he lasted so long. For years, he’s been linked to Apple’s failure to seize on generative AI to improve its Siri voice assistant and make the iPhone and other iDevices smarter and more personalized.
Giannandrea may have made errors in judgment. Reports said he waffled several times on the preferred architecture for Siri—on how much of the assistant’s AI processing should run on the device versus a server in the cloud. But it’s also possible that his plans for integrating artificial intelligence into Apple products encountered friction from other Apple leaders, or were hampered by fears among the leadership team that generative AI would compromise user privacy or create new legal exposure. At any rate, by 2024, Apple’s leadership — including Tim Cook — had lost confidence that Giannandrea’s group could turn AI research into useful (and safe) AI features and products…
Apple poached Giannandrea in 2018 to inject new life into its floundering AI efforts… As the starting gun of the generative AI revolution sounded with the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, Apple stayed largely silent and remained so, even as its peers raced to develop their own large AI models and apps…
Apple believes Amar Subramanya, the Microsoft executive it has tapped to replace Giannandrea, can and will get things back on track… His hire, along with Giannandrea’s departure, should be read as Apple’s acknowledgment of falling behind its peers in AI—and a signal that it intends to catch up. Interestingly, it was Giannandrea’s departure that got top billing in the press release Apple put out Monday, not the arrival of a new AI chief in Subramanya.
MacDailyNews Take: As with Apple, we have already wasted more than enough time on this guy. Here’s what we wrote on Monday when his “retirement” was announced:
An unmitigated failure.
Steve Jobs would’ve bounced this bozo on the day ChatGPT was released in November 2022.
Giannandrea finally (and ridiculously slowly and gently) being shown the door is better years late than never, we guess.
Apple pays and has been paying John Giannandrea, Senior Vice President of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, millions upon millions of dollars for years. WTF of any import does he really do? WTF of any import has he really delivered? Have you used Siri lately? Yup, it’s still a steaming pile of dogshit.
Where’s Apple’s generative AI, John? “Too hard; too late; look for partners; gimme my paycheck and stock options.”
AAPL shareholders need to start asking real questions of these executives, especially those who are supposedly in charge of Apple’s “AI Strategy,” when the company clearly has none. How about some accountability for once? – MacDailyNews, March 18, 2024
“Tim Cook in his later years seems averse to quickly excising execs when they make massive mistakes, fail to perform, etc.” – MacDailyNews, December 1, 2025
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Apple’s record 247 million iPhone shipments drive 6.1% global smartphone surge in 2025 – IDC
Worldwide smartphone shipments are forecast to grow 1.5% year-on-year (YoY) in 2025 to 1.25 billion units, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. This is an increase from 1% growth in prior forecast, primarily driven by accelerated performance from Apple in the holiday quarter, rapid growth in key emerging markets and stabilization in China. Apple’s shipments are forecast to grow 6.1% YoY in 2025, up sharply from 3.9% in the last cycle.
“Apple is set to have a record year in 2025 with shipments forecast to cross 247 million units, thanks to the phenomenal success of its latest iPhone 17 series,” said Nabila Popal, senior research director with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, in a statement. “In China, Apple’s largest market, massive demand for iPhone 17 has significantly accelerated Apple’s performance. It ranked first in October and November per IDC’s China Monthly Sales data with more than 20% share, miles ahead of the competition, leading IDC to revise Apple’s Q4 forecast in China from 9% to 17% YoY. This turns a previously projected 1% decline in China for 2025 into a positive 3% growth, that’s a phenomenal turnaround. The success story is replicated across all regions, including the US and Western Europe that had previously slowed down. This calendar year will not only be a record period for Apple in terms of shipments but also in value, which is forecast to exceed $261 billion, with 7.2% YoY growth in 2025.”
While the near-term forecast for smartphones has strengthened, 2026 growth has been revised downward from 1.2% growth to 0.9% decline, due to a combination of component shortages and product cycle adjustments. Apple’s strategic shift of its next base iPhone model from fall 2026 to early 2027 is forecast to pull-down iOS shipments by 4.2% next year. Furthermore, the ongoing global memory shortage is expected to constrain supply and raise prices, which will impact low-to-mid range Android devices more significantly as they remain more price sensitive. As a result, smartphone units will face a soft decline in 2026, however ASP will increase to $465, propelling the market to its record high value of $578.9 billion.
“As memory components become more limited and more expensive, manufacturers face increasing pressure to raise prices,” said Anthony Scarsella, research director with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, in a staement. “Vendors need to adopt different strategies to protect their market share. While some OEMs will inevitably be forced to raise prices, others will adjust their portfolio towards pricier models with higher margins to absorb some of the memory impact on BOM. Next year will be a challenging time for the industry, however, IDC still believes the market could see record ASPs.”
MacDailyNews Take: iPhone 17 continues to outperform. By the way, market share is one thing, but Apple’s iPhone commands the vast majority of profits in the global smartphone market, capturing approximately 80% of the industry’s total operating profits as of early 2025.
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