Apple News
Formula 1 returns to America this weekend via live streaming on Apple TV
Formula 1 returns to the U.S. this weekend for the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2026 — streaming exclusively on Apple TV, with every session live and on demand.
Anticipation builds as the 2026 season resumes and the battle for the podium reaches a pivotal weekend in Miami. With strategies shifting across the grid, teams arrive in the U.S. ready to reshape the title fight and redefine the season’s trajectory.
The Ultimate Destination for F1 Fans in the U.S.
Apple TV is the new U.S. home of F1 — delivering a premium viewing experience to subscribers with comprehensive coverage and analysis, powerful and customizable viewing enhancements, and seamless integration across the Apple ecosystem.
Miami Grand Prix coverage will feature English and Spanish commentary and access to up to 30 additional live feeds across all sessions, including Driver Tracker for a bird’s-eye view of the race, session timing and data feeds, a mixed onboard feed that automatically switches between cameras as the race unfolds, and a Podium feed that dynamically follows the drivers running in P1, P2, and P3 throughout.
Viewers can also follow every moment of the race with a fully customizable Multiview experience or a one-tap preconfigured layout for every team.
Viewers can follow every moment of the Miami Grand Prix with a Multiview experience, watching up to four live feeds at once. Miami Grand Prix coverage features access to up to 30 additional live feeds across all sessions, including Driver Tracker for a bird’s-eye view of the race, session timing and data feeds, a mixed onboard feed, and a Podium feed that dynamically follows the drivers running in P1, P2, and P3 throughout.
New Original F1 Programming to Debut on Apple TV
Apple TV is also bringing fans closer to the action with new original programming, delivering fresh expert perspectives to race weekend and sharing deeper insights into the stories shaping F1 — from every curve, overtake, and podium.
Circuits in Focus — a track preview series featuring 2016 F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg and content creator, record-breaking car builder, and driver Emelia Hartford — debuts tomorrow, April 30, on Apple TV. Viewers can join Rosberg and Hartford as they deliver an inside look at each circuit before the race weekend begins, breaking down the strategy and split-second decisions that could define what drivers and teams will face. Using EA SPORTS F1 25, the official video game of the FIA Formula One World Championship, Rosberg and Hartford bring fans onto the track and into the driver’s seat, exploring every curve, braking point, and opportunity that could shape the fight for the podium.
Fans can continue to follow the race after it wraps with The POV, a social series featuring former Red Bull Racing senior technician Calum Nicholas as well as content creator and engineer Christina Roki as they react to key moments from the weekend. From showcasing decisive overtakes to strategy calls and unexpected turning points, the series pairs technical expertise with a fan-first perspective.
Together, these new shows make it easier than ever for audiences to engage with F1 on and off the track.
In-Depth Coverage and a Glimpse into Race Weekend with Apple News
Fans can stay up to date on race weekend in Apple News with notifications and personalized coverage from leading publishers, and can follow their favorite drivers and teams for live results, standings, and highlights. Users can also view the race directly within the News app through a special Miami Grand Prix experience and easily jump to the Apple TV app for the full F1 streaming experience.
Explore the Miami Grand Prix with Apple Maps
F1 fans using Apple Maps can explore Grand Prix details, including a comprehensive circuit map with turn numbers, grandstands, and custom-designed 3D landmarks like the F1 pit building, the marina, and the Hard Rock Beach Club. For fans attending in person, Maps makes it easy to get around, with useful information like event entry gates, road closures, pedestrian walkways, and more. F1 fans attending the Miami Grand Prix can also discover some of Miami’s best places to eat, shop, and explore with A Local’s Guide to Miami F1 Race Week in Maps.
Exclusive Playlists and DJ Mixes on Apple Music
Apple Music subscribers can access an exciting lineup of content and get into race weekend mode with a new, exclusive Miami-centric DJ mix from Panamanian artist Dímelo Flow, who will also take the stage for a live in-store DJ set at Apple Aventura on May 1. Adding to the celebration, Cadillac driver Sergio “Checo” Pérez will share his personal driver playlist, giving listeners a glimpse into the tracks that fuel his focus on and off the track. The freshly updated Formula 1: Sounds of the Circuit playlist will capture the energy of the season, while Apple Music will keep fans connected to all the action with audio livestreams of both the Sprint and the Race. Check out Apple Music’s dedicated space for more playlists by race drivers, DJ mixes, and more throughout the season.
Race Weekend Comes to Apple Aventura
Apple TV is taking over Apple Aventura on May 1 with a full day of programming to celebrate the Miami Grand Prix. Guests are invited to experience the Cadillac F1 special livery, watch Practice and Sprint Qualifying sessions on oversized screens with stadium seating, catch a live Apple Music performance by Dímelo Flow, and join an Apple Books talk with Formula 1 trailblazer Susie Wolff about her new memoir, Driven. Fans can register to attend at Today at Apple.
Experience the Miami Grand Prix on Apple TV Live in IMAX
Fans across the country can also experience the Miami Grand Prix live in IMAX, with special screenings at more than 50 locations nationwide. Watch this unique circuit on IMAX’s expansive screens and hear every engine roar in its precision surround sound. More information and tickets are available at imax.com/f1-live-in-imax.
F1 on Apple TV Takes Over Times Square
Apple will bring race day to the heart of New York City with a live public screening of the Miami Grand Prix in Times Square, giving fans a chance to experience the action together in one of the world’s most iconic destinations.
Tubi Launching Creator-Hosted Live Altcasts
For the first time ever, free streaming service Tubi will host original live altcasts to complement the 2026 F1 season on Apple TV, starting with The Fast Lane: Miami. Hosted by high-profile YouTuber Michelle Khare (Challenge Accepted) and Jeremiah Burton (BigTime) with F1 expert Scott Mansell (DRIVER61), the series will run across multiple races throughout the season, beginning with the Miami Grand Prix. The creator-led altcasts will mix race insights, real-time driver tracking, and onboard footage with entertaining, culture-forward guests and commentary — delivering an immersive way to experience F1.
MacDailyNews Note: F1 on Apple TV is available in the U.S. on the Apple TV app on 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, eligible 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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Incoming Apple CEO John Ternus expected to join Apple’s Thursday earnings call
Apple investors are eager for a closer look at John Ternus as the next CEO of the iPhone maker when Apple reports quarterly results on Thursday, with Wall Street expecting another strong performance.
Although Ternus formally takes over from Tim Cook in September, Apple’s decision to announce the succession just days before earnings has convinced analysts he will join the post-results conference call.
Reuters:
The former hardware chief, who has overseen some of Apple’s biggest bets in recent years, including the shift to custom-designed chips for the Mac, is expected to maintain a product-first approach as the company navigates the AI era.
He must decide how far to open Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem to keep pace in the artificial intelligence race that has so far rewarded speed and experimentation over curation and control.
“The AI story remains one up in the air, but this quarter isn’t just about the numbers,” said Jay Woods, chief market strategist at Freedom Capital Markets. “Investors will be focused on how leadership change could shape product innovation, capital allocation and Apple’s next chapter in AI.”
The MacBook Neo, which Ternus launched in March, has created the kind of buzz that few Apple devices have managed in recent years and drawn strong early sales.
Ben Bajarin, CEO at tech consultancy Creative Strategies, said the Neo was potentially a new $20-billion-per-year market for Apple.
“Neo gives Apple a credible product in parts of the notebook market where it has historically been structurally absent, especially education, first-time buyers and value-oriented Windows replacement cycles,” Bajarin said.
MacDailyNews Take: Mac sales are expected to grow 0.8% to $8.02 billion in the January-March quarter, Apple’s fiscal second quarter, according to LSEG data. Overall revenue is forecast to increase 15% to $109.66 billion, matching the growth rate from the holiday quarter, with iPhone sales posting a 22% rise to $57.21 billion.
MacDailyNews Note: As usual, we’ll bring you Apple’s results as soon as they are released, right around 1:30 p.m. PDT / 4:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday, April 30, 2026 and then follow with live notes from Apple’s conference call at 2:00 p.m. PDT / 5:00 p.m. EDT.
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UBS boosts Apple price target to $287 ahead of earnings
Apple investors have reason to feel encouraged today. As the tech giant prepares to report its Q3 2026 earnings on April 30, UBS has raised its price target on the stock from $280 to $287, while maintaining a Neutral rating.
With Apple shares recently trading around $267–$271, this adjustment implies roughly 6–8% upside potential from current levels, according to the latest market data.
Why UBS Is Getting More Bullish on Apple
UBS analyst David Vogt cited strong iPhone demand and Apple’s supply chain advantages amid ongoing memory shortages as key drivers. The firm now expects:
• iPhone revenue to rise ~20% year-over-year in the June quarter.
• Overall Apple revenue to hit approximately $102 billion for the period (up ~4% from prior estimates), representing 8.5% YoY growth.
Solid performance in key markets like the US and China is expected to support services and iPhone sales, helping Apple navigate a challenging environment.
This move aligns with a broader wave of analyst optimism. Other firms, including BNP Paribas (raising to $300) and JPMorgan (up to $325), have also hiked targets recently, pointing to Apple’s resilience in securing components and gaining market share.
The Caveats: Why Neutral Remains
Despite the upward revision, UBS isn’t going all-in. The bank highlighted longer-term risks, including:
• Potential product delays or less innovative offerings.
• A possible decline in iPhone unit shipments.
• Macroeconomic weakness, particularly in China.
The Neutral rating reflects a balanced view: near-term tailwinds from iPhone 17 series demand, but caution on sustained growth without major breakthroughs.
Broader Context for Apple Investors
Apple’s stock has shown volatility in 2026, trading in a range amid global economic pressures and competition in AI and consumer electronics. However, the company’s massive services business, ecosystem lock-in, and enterprise adoption trends continue to provide a strong foundation.
Wall Street’s consensus price target sits higher, around $300, with some forecasts reaching $350. UBS’s tweak adds to the positive momentum heading into earnings.
MacDailyNews Take: Yet another vote of confidence in Apple’s fundamentals. For potential buyers, the modest raise suggests the stock remains attractively valued relative to growth prospects — especially if earnings beat expectations on iPhone momentum and services.
MacDailyNews Note: As usual, we’ll bring you Apple’s results as soon as they are released, right around 1:30 p.m. PDT / 4:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday, April 30, 2026 and then follow with live notes from Apple’s conference call at 2:00 p.m. PDT / 5:00 p.m. EDT.
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‘Widow’s Bay’ is Apple TV’s weirdest, boldest series yet – Collider
“Widow’s Bay” is a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England. But something lurks beneath the surface. Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) is desperate to revive his struggling community. There’s no Wi-Fi, spotty cellular reception and he must contend with superstitious locals who believe their island is cursed. He wants these people to respect him. They don’t. They think he is soft and cowardly. And he is. But Loftis is determined to build a better future for his teenage son and turn the island into a tourist destination. Miraculously, he succeeds: tourists are finally coming. Unfortunately, the locals were right. After decades of calm, the old stories that seemed too ludicrous to be true, start happening again. “Widow’s Bay” blends genuine horror with character-driven comedy.
If there’s one streamer right now that is truly in a league of its own, it’s Apple TV. In the last few years, it’s become the destination for original, inventive sci-fi, with series like Severance, For All Mankind, Pluribus, and Silo exploding in popularity, a sharp right turn from the Ted Lasso fanfare that helped cement it as a legit streamer worth your money. Seth Rogen’s meta comedy The Studio dominated the Emmys, Jon Hamm’s big return to TV has turned into a hit, and even Godzilla has called Apple TV home. If there’s one thing Apple TV is, it’s consistently unpredictable.
What’s refreshing about many titles on the platform is that they don’t try to appeal to everyone, which gives the shows far more breathing room to find their own unique voice, take storytelling risks, and establish a loyal viewership rather organically, no matter how niche. With all of this in mind, Widow’s Bay — which stars Matthew Rhys as the mayor of a would-be travel destination hotspot that’s weighed down by some (a lot) of skeletons in the closet — is perhaps the most daring, weirdest show on Apple TV for several reasons. The series, which is part-workplace comedy, part-mystery, and part-trippy horror, might struggle out of the gate, but once it wades deep into its narrative, you won’t want to return to the mainland…
At first, you might not be so sure that you’ve chosen the right travel destination, but Widow’s Bay becomes a haunting, deeply rewarding, and oddly charming series if you stick with it.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple TV. Hit after hit after hit!
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Apple prepares major AI-powered photo editing overhaul for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27
Apple is gearing up for a significant upgrade to its built-in Photos app, bringing advanced artificial intelligence tools to photo editing across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. According to Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman, the company is developing a new suite of AI features powered by its Apple Intelligence platform, set to debut in the upcoming iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 operating system updates this fall.
Key New AI Capabilities
The overhaul focuses on three core areas designed to make Apple’s native editing tools even better with:
• Extend: AI-powered “outpainting” or image expansion that intelligently generates new content beyond the original photo borders, allowing users to widen frames or fill in missing areas seamlessly.
• Enhance: Automatic one-tap or intelligent improvements to photo quality, including better lighting, color correction, noise reduction, and detail sharpening using on-device Apple Intelligence models.
• Reframe: Smart recomposition tools that can automatically adjust or suggest new crops, perspectives, and layouts while preserving or generating context to create more visually appealing results.
These features build on Apple’s existing Apple Intelligence efforts, emphasizing on-device processing for privacy and speed. The goal appears to be closing the gap with competitors like Google’s Pixel devices, which have long offered generative AI tools for photo manipulation.
Context and Timing
This photo editing push fits into Apple’s broader iOS 27 strategy, which emphasizes quality improvements and targeted AI enhancements rather than a flood of flashy new features (often compared to the refined approach of Mac OS X Snow Leopard).
The updates are expected to be previewed at WWDC 2026 in June, with public releases in the fall.
By integrating these capabilities directly into the Photos app, Apple aims to reduce reliance on third-party editors while delivering powerful, user-friendly AI tools that feel native and secure.
MacDailyNews Take: For users of Apple’s superior hardware – Mac, iPhone, and iPad – this could mean dramatically easier ways to rescue imperfect shots, expand creative compositions, or quickly polish images without leaving Apple’s ecosystem. It also signals Apple’s continued investment in making Apple Intelligence practical and visible in everyday apps like Photos.
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MacDailyNews Take:
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CNET reviews Apple’s MacBook Neo: ‘An absolute banger of a budget laptop’
Apple’s all-new MacBook Neo, its most affordable laptop ever, starts at just $599 (and $499 for education customers), bringing the full Mac experience to millions more users worldwide with a breakthrough price point designed to undercut cheap entry-level Windows PCs and Chromebooks.
The 13-inch model features a durable aluminum enclosure available in vibrant new colors—blush, indigo, silver, and a fresh citrus—paired with a stunning Liquid Retina display offering high resolution, 500 nits brightness, and support for 1 billion colors for vivid websites, photos, videos, and apps.
At its core is the A18 Pro chip, delivering up to 50% faster everyday performance like web browsing and up to 3x quicker on-device AI tasks (such as advanced photo effects) compared to the top-selling PC with the latest Intel Core Ultra 5, while providing up to 16 hours of battery life for true all-day use without recharging.
Additional highlights include a 1080p FaceTime HD camera with dual mics for sharp video calls, dual side-firing speakers with Spatial Audio for immersive sound, Apple’s comfortable and precise Magic Keyboard, a large Multi-Touch trackpad with gesture support, and macOS Tahoe featuring seamless iPhone integration, Apple Intelligence, and broad app compatibility.
By far the most affordable MacBook, it still offers the same premium design and durability as Apple’s pricier MacBooks. It’s also lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry, and comes in three fun colors (plus standard silver).
A combination of the MacBook Neo and the cheapest iPhone comes out to only $100 more than the cheapest MacBook Air alone. And you still get Apple’s $100 education discount with the Neo, which is nearly double the percentage discount (17% versus 9%) that students can save on the Air.
As cute and colorful as it is, the MacBook Neo is more than just a starter laptop. It could also serve as a great device for anyone who wants to browse the web, watch a show or movie, perform some light edits on photos and text using all 10 fingers on a keyboard — rather than just two thumbs on your iPhone…
I can’t believe how similar the MacBook Neo is to its big siblings. Like MacBook Air and Pro models, the Neo has a sturdy, all-aluminum body. It feels just as rigid as a MacBook Air or Pro with the same luxurious look. The Neo doesn’t cheapen the MacBook brand.
The MacBook Neo is easily the best laptop for school use, especially if you or the student you’re buying for already has an iPhone. The two work seamlessly together. Given the convenience and security that Touch ID provides, however, I’d view Apple’s $100 educational discount as a way to add Touch ID (along with more storage) for free instead of lowering the price of the base model.
For those out of school and who want a cheap, portable laptop for casual use around the house or for a job that doesn’t require demanding creative, scientific or AI tasks, the MacBook Neo makes a lot of sense for the money. You won’t find a better-designed laptop at this price.
MacDailyNews Take: There’s tons more, including benchmarks where the Neo blows away Chromebooks, in the full article here.
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All of Apple’s iPhone 18 models expected to include 12GB of memory
Apple is poised to make a significant leap in memory configuration for its entire 2027 iPhone 18 lineup. According to recurring supply-chain reports, every model — from the base iPhone 18 to the Pro variants — is expected to ship with 12GB of memory.
This marks a notable first for the standard iPhone 18, which would finally match the memory capacity that debuted in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Analyst Dan Nystedt highlighted the rumor in a recent post on X, citing consistent chatter from the supply chain.
Why 12GB across the board?
The primary driver appears to be Apple Intelligence and the expanding suite of on-device AI features expected in iOS 27. On-device AI workloads are notoriously memory-hungry. Giving the base model enough memory ensures it can fully support advanced features like the next-generation Siri without compromising performance or forcing users toward Pro models.
Apple has long relied on exceptional software optimization to deliver smooth experiences with relatively modest memory compared to Android flagships. However, the demands of modern generative AI are pushing even Apple to standardize higher memory across its range. The iPhone 17 Pro models already proved that 12GB works well for these tasks, and it now looks like the entire family will benefit.
Performance upgrades on the horizon
The memory boost is expected to pair with Apple’s next-generation A20 chip (built on TSMC’s advanced 2nm process). Early indications suggest meaningful gains in both speed and efficiency over the 3nm chips in the iPhone 17 series.
This combination of more memory and a more advanced processor should deliver:
• Smoother multitasking
• Faster AI processing
• Better longevity for future software updates
Launch timing twist
Unlike previous years, Apple reportedly plans a staggered rollout. The iPhone 18 Pro models (and possibly the first folding iPhone) are still expected in fall 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 could arrive in early 2027 alongside other more affordable models.
Potential trade-offs
Higher memory comes at a cost, especially amid a global RAM shortage driven by AI server demand. To offset this, Apple may trim certain features on the base model, such as display specifications or other manufacturing processes. Even with those adjustments, the internal upgrades should make the iPhone 18 feel like a substantial step forward for everyday users.
MacDailyNews Take: If these rumors hold, the iPhone 18 series will represent one of the most unified memory upgrades in Apple’s recent history. No more “good enough” memory on the base model — everyone gets the full 12GB treatment. For users who prioritize longevity, AI capabilities, and future-proofing without jumping to Pro pricing, this could be welcome news indeed.
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Apple TV releases first trailer for ‘Ted Lasso’ season four, premiering August 5th
Apple TV on Tuesday revealed the premiere date for the highly anticipated fourth season of global hit series “Ted Lasso,” starring and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Jason Sudeikis. “Ted Lasso” season four will make its global debut on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with one episode, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through October 7.
Season four marks the return of fan favorites, including Emmy Award winner Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Emmy Award winner Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, and Jeremy Swift, alongside new additions Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern, and Grant Feely.
In season four, Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team. Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would.
“Ted Lasso” season four adds Emmy Award winner Jack Burditt as executive producer under a new overall deal with Apple TV. Sudeikis stars and executive produces alongside Hunt, Joe Kelly, Jane Becker, Jamie Lee and Bill Wrubel. Goldstein serves as writer and executive producer alongside Leann Bowen. Sarah Walker and Phoebe Walsh will serve as writers and producers for season four, and Sasha Garron co-produces. Julia Lindon will write for season four, and Dylan Marron will serve as story editor. Bill Lawrence executive produces via his Doozer Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television, a division of NBCUniversal content. Doozer’s Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer also serve as executive producers. The series was developed by Sudeikis, Lawrence, Kelly and Hunt, and is based on the preexisting format and characters from NBC Sports.
Following its global debut on Apple TV, “Ted Lasso” broke records and quickly earned praise from fans and critics all over the world. The first season became the most Emmy Award-nominated comedy series, and the series went on to land rare back-to-back Outstanding Comedy Series Emmys for its first two seasons on air.
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 800 wins and 3,431 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” global cultural phenomenon “Severance,” Apple’s most-viewed drama “Pluribus,” Academy Award Best Picture winner “CODA” and Academy Award winner “F1,” the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.
MacDailyNews Take: Ted lost the plot, and us, in season three. Hopefully, season four can ditch its ham-handed attempts to inject “The Message” everywhere and anywhere and instead rediscover the consistent magic of early “Ted Lasso.”
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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Apple to close first unionized U.S. Retail Store in Towson, citing crime and mall decline; union cries ‘union-busting’
Apple will permanently close its Towson Town Center store in June, marking the shutdown of the first Apple retail location in the United States to successfully unionize.
The company cited “declining conditions” at Towson Town Center — including the departure of multiple major retailers, reduced foot traffic, and persistent public safety issues in the mall and surrounding areas. Reports of shoplifting, organized retail theft, assaults, robberies, and other crimes have plagued the location for years, contributing to an environment that has driven away shoppers and businesses.
In a statement, Apple said the safety of customers and employees remains its top priority. While employees at the other two closing stores (Apple Trumbull in Connecticut and Apple North County in California) are being offered transfers to nearby locations, Towson workers — represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) — must apply for open positions elsewhere under the terms of their collective bargaining agreement.
The union immediately condemned the move as retaliation. In a strongly worded statement, IAM called the closure “a cynical attempt to bust the union” and filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board. The union claims Apple is discriminating against its members by denying them the same transfer rights offered to non-unionized stores.
MacDailyNews Take: Exactly as we predicted back in 2022 when the Towson store became the first in the country to unionize: businesses have options when faced with poor conditions, including simply closing up shop. An employer is free to close operations at any time — and that’s precisely what Apple is doing here.
The union immediately screams “union-busting,” of course. Spare us. This decision has everything to do with the crime-ridden disaster that local Maryland leadership has allowed Towson Town Center (and the surrounding area) to become. Shoplifting swarms, assaults, robberies, and general chaos aren’t fixed by union negotiations over pay or working conditions. They’re fixed by actual law enforcement and sane public policy — neither of which the union delivers.
Apple already offers its retail employees some of the best wages, benefits, and working conditions in the industry. The vast majority of Apple Store workers have wisely rejected unionization efforts because they know those advantages come from Apple, not from union dues. The Towson crew chose differently. Now the store is closing, employees are being given opportunities at safer, non-unionized locations, and the union is left complaining from the sidelines.
Businesses don’t abandon thriving malls because workers organized — they leave when soft-on-crime policies turn shopping centers into unsafe zones. Apple is doing exactly what any responsible company should: protecting its customers, its team members, and its brand.
The union can cry “retaliation” all it wants. The real issue is the failure of local leadership to maintain basic public safety.
As we wrote back in May 2022:
In a free market, jobs are valued by supply and demand.
The skillset for a retail employee is different than that for, say, a software engineer. Potential retail employees are an order of magnitude more plentiful than software engineers and the wages paid and benefits granted for each job reflect that discrepancy.
You’re not going to get rich working in retail. There are simply too many other people capable of doing your job.
Nobody likes to hear that their job is a dime a dozen. Regardless, retail jobs are a dime a dozen.
If retail workers unionize, they can, and do, force abnormal wages and benefits that do not reflect the reality of supply and demand for such positions.
What happens next (besides backroom graft and corruption between union bosses and politicians)?
The corporation is forced to overpay unionized staff to do tasks that, in a free and unfettered market, should cost the company far less. Therefore, to maintain margins and profitability (in order to satisfy the company’s shareholders and the market), the company is forced to either cut back in other areas or raise prices for goods and services. The company cannot “absorb the cost” longer term.
Talk about inflation.
That said, yes, executive compensation is out of whack. Tim Cook is vastly overpaid for what he does. This is because he holds a rare skillset and it benefits the shareholders to have continuity in the CEO position. Basically, Apple overpays Tim Cook in order to have a long-term CEO which provides confidence to the market. A succession of different CEOs jumping from company to company every other year seeking higher salaries would be a negative and justifies Cook’s overpayment. Cook is paid to stay more than for what he actually does. This is why he has vesting targets set years into the future. If he stays, providing continuity, he benefits and so does the company’s stock price (over time).
Not so for retail employees. If one leaves, there’s an endless line of others to replace them. Sure, there are excellent retail employees and, if Apple’s retail arm is functioning properly, they are being identified and rewarded in order to keep them, as their continued employment benefits the company, the company’s customers, and the company’s shareholders. But the cost of their employment must make financial sense, regardless of how good an employee is – if it costs more to keep them than they are worth to the company, they should seek employment elsewhere, not force overpayment / continued employment.
If Apple is not functioning properly, unionization is the last resort of employees. Just know that those costs will eventually be passed to the customer. Someone has to pay. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. If those unionization costs are too high (which they tend to become over time), it will hurt the company (consumers will look for similar goods and services offered at significantly lower prices) and the retail workers will eventually feel negative effects from that (see: unions and Detroit’s automotive industry, what’s left of it).
Back in the day, unions corrected many wrongs: unsafe working conditions, forced overtime without pay, child labor, etc. None of these situations are faced by Apple Retail employees today. Some retail staffers simply want higher pay than the actual value of their work in a free market, so they want to band together to force it.
In many union settings, workers face limited advancement based on their merits. Union workers’ avenues for advancement are limited as stipulated by union contracts. So, if you are an exemplary Apple employee today, your prospects are likely brighter than if you were part of a union, subject to certain union rules governing advancement, etc. Retail employees should carefully consider the pitfalls of unionization and the consequences of unintended consequences.
Apple should do all it can, within reason, to satisfy and compensate retail employees. In fact, Apple appears to be doing so. [In February 2022], Bloomberg News reported that Apple will significantly increase wages and benefits for American retail workers amid a tightening labor market.
Apple adopted the following changes for U.S. retail workers beginning on April 4, 2022:
• Raises ranging from 2% to 10% depending on store location and role, for salespeople, Genius Bar technical support staff, and some senior hourly workers.
• Doubling paid sick days for both full-time and part-time workers. The days can be used for mental health leave and taking family members to the doctor. This change will give full-time workers 12 paid sick days, instead of six.
• Workers receive more annual vacation days, beginning at three years of employment instead of five.
• Part-time employees will now get as many as six paid vacation days for the first time. Another first: They’ll get paid parental leave. That benefit will cover up to six weeks and will include the ability to gradually ramp up work time for the first four weeks back.
• Part-time workers also will get access to discounted emergency backup care for children or elderly family members.
In a [2022] statement to Bloomberg News, an Apple spokesperson reiterated, “We are pleased to offer very strong compensation and benefits for full time and part time employees, including health care, tuition reimbursement, new parental leave, paid family leave, annual stock grants and many other benefits.” – MacDailyNews, February 18, 2022
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Apple’s gripping new space-race drama ‘Star City’ premieres at CANNESERIES
This week, at the Cannes International Series Festival (CANNESERIES), Apple TV celebrated the global premiere of “Star City” with creators and executive producers Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi, and stars Rhys Ifans, Anna Maxwell Martin, and Agnes O’Casey. The highly anticipated new space race drama that expands the world of “For All Mankind” will make its global debut on Apple TV on May 29, 2026, followed by one new episode every Friday through July 10th.
“Star City” is a propulsive, paranoid thriller that takes us back to the key moment in the alt-history retelling of the space race — when the Soviet Union became the first nation to put a man on the moon. But this time, we explore the story from behind the Iron Curtain, showing the lives of the cosmonauts, the engineers and the intelligence officers.
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 797 wins and 3,429 award nominations and counting including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” global cultural phenomenon “Severance,” Apple’s most-viewed drama “Pluribus,” Academy Award Best Picture winner “CODA” and Academy Award nominee “F1,” the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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Apple TV’s ‘Slow Horses’ and ‘Vietnam: The War That Changed America’ win 2026 BAFTA Television Craft Awards
Last night, Apple TV was recognized with two wins at the 2026 BAFTA Television Craft Awards, as Will Smith landed Writer: Drama for “Slow Horses” and Rob Coldstream earned Director: Factual for “Vietnam: The War That Changed America.” The BAFTA Television Awards recognize the best British programs, performances and productions each year. Additional winners of the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards will be presented on Sunday, May 10, in London.
This year, Apple landed 15 nominations for the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards, including International category nods for “Pluribus,” “Severance” and “The Studio”; a Specialist Factual nomination for “Vietnam: The War That Changed America”; and a Factual Entertainment nod for “Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars”; as well as outstanding performance nominations for Leading Actor Taron Egerton in “Smoke” and Supporting Actor Fehinti Balogun in “Down Cemetery Road.”
These wins mark the latest recognition from the BAFTA Television Awards for Apple, following four wins in 2025 including Editing: Fiction and Sound: Fiction for “Slow Horses,” Original Music: Fiction for “Bad Sisters” and Children’s Craft Team for “The Velveteen Rabbit”; four wins in 2024 including Editing: Fiction and Sound: Fiction for “Slow Horses,” as well as Production Design and Original Music: Fiction for world-building hit “Silo.” “Bad Sisters” earned a Titles & Graphic Identity win in 2023, as well as a Drama Series win and a Supporting Actress win for series star Anne-Marie Duff at the BAFTA Television Awards. The celebrated limited series “The Essex Serpent” landed a Costume Design win for first-time BAFTA winner Jane Petrie in 2023, and in 2022, “9/11: Inside the President’s War Room” won Editing: Factual, and “1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything” won Sound: Factual.
To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 800 wins and 3,431 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” global cultural phenomenon “Severance,” Apple’s most-viewed drama “Pluribus,” Academy Award Best Picture winner “CODA” and Academy Award winner “F1,” the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.
Apple landed two wins for the 2026 BAFTA Television Craft Awards, including:
“Slow Horses”
Writer: Drama — Will Smith
“Vietnam: The War That Changed America”
Director: Factual — Rob Coldstream
Apple’s additional nominations for the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards, to be presented on Sunday, May 10 in London, include:
“Pluribus”
International
“Severance”
International
“The Studio”
International
“Vietnam: The War That Changed America”
Specialist Factual
“Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars”
Factual Entertainment
“Smoke”
Leading Actor — Taron Egerton
“Down Cemetery Road”
Supporting Actor — Fehinti Balogun
All titles are now streaming globally on Apple TV.
“Pluribus”
“Pluribus” is a genre-bending original in which the most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.
“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.
“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.
“Vietnam: The War That Changed America”
Ethan Hawke narrates this deeply profound look at what it was like to live through one of history’s longest wars, as told through first-person accounts and rarely seen footage.
“Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars”
Experience thrilling highs and crushing lows as the world’s best chefs pursue the ultimate accolade: a Michelin Star. These anonymous inspectors have never let anyone in on their mysterious ways, until now.
“Smoke”
Inspired by true events, “Smoke” follows an arson investigator who begrudgingly teams up with a police detective as their race to stop two arsonists ignites a twisted game of secrets and suspicions.
“Down Cemetery Road”
When a house explodes in a quiet Oxford suburb and a girl disappears in the aftermath, neighbor Sarah Trafford (Ruth Wilson) becomes obsessed with finding her and enlists the help of private investigator Zoë Boehm (Emma Thompson). Zoë and Sarah suddenly find themselves in a complex conspiracy that reveals that people long believed dead are still among the living, while the living are fast joining the dead.
“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.
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: Congrats to all of the casts and crews of BAFTA nominated and winning productions!
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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Apple’s Q226 earnings preview: Analysts project another strong quarter
Apple is set to report its fiscal second-quarter 2026 results right after the market close (around 1:30 p.m. PDT / 4:30 p.m. EDT) on April 30, 2026, with the conference call scheduled for 2:00 p.m. PDT / 5:00 p.m. EDT. Wall Street is projecting another strong quarter, building on the company’s record-breaking Q1 performance and the ongoing iPhone 17 upgrade cycle.
Most Recent FactSet-Aggregated Analyst Expectations
The latest consensus estimates (as of April 25, 2026, per Yahoo Finance data, which aggregates analyst forecasts commonly aligned with FactSet sourcing) call for:
• Revenue: $109.69 billion (31 analysts; range: $107.08B–$115.37B), implying ~15% year-over-year growth from $95.36 billion in Q2 FY2025.
• EPS: $1.95 (32 analysts; range: $1.56–$2.16), up ~18% from $1.65 a year ago.
These figures align closely with other recent aggregators:
• TipRanks (as of April 19): $109.45 billion revenue and $1.95 EPS.
• Visible Alpha / S&P Global Market Intelligence (April 23): ~$109.3 billion revenue, with iPhone expected at ~$56.5 billion and Services at ~$30 billion.
• LSEG data via IG Markets: $109.5 billion revenue (+14.9% YoY), including iPhone at $56.9 billion (+21.4%) and Services at $30.4 billion (+14.2%).
Slight variations reflect ongoing analyst updates, but the overall picture is one of solid double-digit growth.
Key Drivers Analysts Are Watching
• iPhone and Products: Expectations point to continued strength from the iPhone 17 lineup and strong upgrade demand, particularly in the U.S. and improving conditions in Greater China. Some bullish calls (e.g., JP Morgan at $112.7 billion total revenue and Goldman Sachs highlighting 23% iPhone growth) see product revenue potentially beating the ~$78.8 billion consensus. Supply-chain constraints on advanced chips remain a minor headwind, but pricing adjustments are expected to help offset memory and component cost increases.
• Services: The high-margin segment is forecast to hit ~$30–30.4 billion (+13–14% YoY), continuing its reliable growth trajectory and supporting overall gross margin expansion to the 48–49% range.
• Apple Intelligence and Broader Outlook: While AI features are still ramping (with more details expected at WWDC in June), analysts will listen closely for updates on on-device processing, the Google Gemini integration, and the M5 chip roadmap. Gross margin commentary, China recovery, and any tariff-related risks will also be in focus.
• CEO Transition: Tim Cook’s planned move to executive chairman (with John Ternus stepping in as CEO on September 1st) adds an extra layer of intense interest. The call could provide reassurance on continuity and long-term strategy.
Consensus points to Apple delivering another beat-and-raise style quarter, with revenue growth in the mid-teens and healthy EPS expansion. The combination of iPhone supercycle momentum, Services resilience, and steady progress on AI positions the company well heading into the back half of FY2026.
Investors will be parsing every word from CFO Kevan Parekh on guidance, margins, and the path forward under new leadership. Earnings season kicks off in earnest on April 30 — expect the usual post-earnings volatility, but the Street’s bar appears comfortably achievable based on the latest FactSet-aligned forecasts.
Apple has a long-standing tradition of announcing updates to its capital return program — including dividend increases and new or expanded share repurchase authorizations — during its fiscal Q2 earnings release
Analysts and investors have come to expect these shareholder-friendly announcements in the spring quarter because Apple’s March-ending quarter typically generates strong cash flow, giving the board an ideal window to signal confidence in the company’s outlook while refreshing its capital allocation strategy for the year ahead. With Apple’s Q2 FY2026 results due April 30, 2026, many expect another mid-single-digit dividend raise and a sizable new buyback authorization to continue this consistent pattern.
MacDailyNews Note: As usual, we’ll bring you Apple’s results as soon as they are released, right around 1:30 p.m. PDT / 4:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday, April 30, 2026 and then follow with live notes from Apple’s conference call at 2:00 p.m. PDT / 5:00 p.m. EDT.
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Apple TV scores another perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes with hit ‘Widow’s Bay’
“Widow’s Bay” is a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England. But something lurks beneath the surface. Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) is desperate to revive his struggling community. There’s no Wi-Fi, spotty cellular reception and he must contend with superstitious locals who believe their island is cursed. He wants these people to respect him. They don’t. They think he is soft and cowardly. And he is. But Loftis is determined to build a better future for his teenage son and turn the island into a tourist destination. Miraculously, he succeeds: tourists are finally coming. Unfortunately, the locals were right. After decades of calm, the old stories that seemed too ludicrous to be true, start happening again. “Widow’s Bay” blends genuine horror with character-driven comedy.
I have repeatedly said that Apple TV is one of the best streaming services right now, both because of its (at least somewhat lower) price (no ad tier) and its excellent batting average. Now, it’s hit another home run…
We’re talking about Widows Bay, the new series which launches this Wednesday on April 29. It’s got a 100% score with over a dozen reviews in so far.
“Two episodes will launch on April 29, and then it will just run for six in total, ending on May 27. The show was created by Kate Dippold, a writer on Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and directed by Hiro Murai of Atlanta. Great pedigree from both of them, plus Rhys as the lead.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple TV certainly is one of the best streaming services available, if not the best.
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OpenAI secretly developing an Agentic AI smartphone to take on iPhone, Android
Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that OpenAI is partnering with MediaTek and Qualcomm on custom smartphone processors, with Luxshare as the exclusive system co-design and manufacturing partner.
Mass production is targeted for 2028.
The concept: an AI Agent-first phone that ditches traditional app grids in favor of a task-oriented interface — where users simply tell the device what they need done, powered by deeply integrated on-device + cloud AI. Kuo shared a concept design (above)comparing it to today’s iPhone home screen.
• Latest industry checks: OpenAI is working with MediaTek and Qualcomm to develop smartphone processors, with Luxshare as the exclusive system co-design and manufacturing partner. Mass production is expected in 2028.
• AI Agent redefines the smartphone: Users are not trying to use a pile of apps. They are trying to get tasks done and fulfill needs through the phone. This fundamentally changes how people think about smartphones. I made a smartphone interface concept design, shown [above], for comparison with today’s model, using the iPhone as an example.
• Why would OpenAI make a phone?
1. Only by fully controlling both the operating system and hardware can OpenAI deliver a comprehensive AI agent service.
2. The smartphone is the only device that captures the user’s full real-time state, which is the most important input for real-time AI agent inference.
3. Smartphones will remain the largest-scale device category for the foreseeable future.
• Tightly integrated cloud and on-device AI:
1. The phone needs to continuously understand the user’s context. Power consumption, memory hierarchy management, and basic small-model execution will be key processor design considerations.
2. More complex or compute-intensive tasks will be handled by cloud AI.
• OpenAI’s advantages lie in its consumer brand, years of accumulated user data, and leading AI models. Smartphone hardware is already highly mature, so OpenAI can work with the supply chain to develop the device. On the business model side, OpenAI may bundle subscriptions with hardware and build a new AI agent ecosystem with developers.
• MediaTek and Qualcomm are processor co-development partners and could benefit from long-term replacement demand:
1. Specifications and suppliers are expected to be finalized by late 2026 or 1Q27.
2. Taking MediaTek × Google TPU Zebrafish as an example, the revenue contribution of a single chip is roughly equivalent to 30–40 AI agent smartphone processors. If the initial target is the global high-end smartphone segment, which ships about 300–400 million units per year, the replacement cycle could become another major growth driver.
• No matter how hard Luxshare tries, it will be difficult for the company to surpass Hon Hai’s assembly position in Apple’s supply chain. That makes this project especially meaningful for Luxshare. With an early position in the supply chain, Luxshare could become a leading beneficiary in the next smartphone generation.
MacDailyNews Take: This highlights why Tim Cook had to go. He blindly missed AI and stumbled around for far too long trying to get Apple’s catch up effort moving. After 15 years of iterating on Steve Jobs’ innovations, Apple now, more than ever, needs to be nimble and future-focused in order to stay ahead of hungry rivals.
That said, there’s till plenty of time.
Apple has been integrating Apple Intelligence across iOS, with on-device and Private Cloud Compute smarts, Siri enhancements (with a real LLM Siri revolution coming very soon), and seamless task completion for years now — and they control the entire stack from silicon to software. OpenAI, meanwhile, is still mostly a software/cloud company scrambling to bolt hardware ambitions onto someone else’s silicon and manufacturing.
By the time this thing supposedly ships in 2028, Apple will have LLM Siri in users’ hands and be multiple generations into its own AI-optimized chips, with a mature, privacy-focused ecosystem that hundreds of millions of people already trust and use every day. “Just talk to the AI” sounds revolutionary until you realize that’s exactly where Apple and the Android knockoff peddlers have been heading — except with vastly more mature platforms, developer support, and, in Apple’s case especially, real privacy guardrails.
We’ve seen this movie before: plucky challenger promises to kill the iPhone with a radical new interface. he reality is usually far messier, with fragmented experiences, battery life disasters, app ecosystem problems, and users who ultimately just want something that works reliably.
OpenAI building a phone isn’t impossible — but betting against Apple’s ability to execute on its own AI vision while leveraging its unparalleled hardware/software/integration advantage is a sucker’s bet.
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Apple’s Smart Home revolution said to include new HomePod with screen and Robotic tabletop display
Apple is preparing to make a serious push into the smart home with two intriguing new devices that blend familiar HomePod DNA with large displays and advanced intelligence. According to details emerging about the company’s upcoming hardware, one is a wall- or stand-mountable smart display, and the other is a larger, robotic version capable of physically moving its screen for more natural interactions.
The Smart Home Hub: A HomePod With a Brain and a Face
The first device is best described as a HomePod with a screen. It features a roughly 7-inch square display and can be placed on a half-domed speaker base or magnetically mounted directly to a wall. This flexible mounting system should make it easy to install in kitchens, hallways, living rooms, or anywhere else a always-on smart display makes sense.
Under the hood, Apple is building a new operating system centered entirely around Siri. The goal is a more natural, conversational way to control lights, locks, thermostats, cameras, and the rest of your HomeKit ecosystem. Expect deep integration with Apple’s ecosystem — the device will support FaceTime calls, and a built-in facial recognition system will allow it to recognize family members and personalize the experience on the fly (greeting you by name, showing your calendar, playing your preferred music, etc.).
Think of it as the spiritual successor to the original HomePod’s audio prowess combined with the utility of an iPad mini that never needs charging and is always listening (respectfully, of course).
The Tabletop Robot: A Moving 9-Inch Smart Display
The second, more ambitious device takes the same core concept and supersizes it. It sports a larger ~9-inch screen and attaches to a robotic limb that can tilt, pan, and move the display to follow you around the room.
This mobility should make it dramatically better for video calls — the screen can literally turn to face whoever is speaking, creating a far more natural FaceTime or Zoom experience than static smart displays. Beyond videoconferencing, the robot could follow you while you cook, read recipes aloud, display security camera feeds as you move through the house, or even act as a helpful companion for kids or elderly family members.
Because it’s larger and more capable, this model is expected to command a higher price point, positioning it as a premium smart home centerpiece rather than an everyday speaker replacement.
Why This Matters
These two devices represent Apple’s clearest attempt yet to move beyond simple voice assistants and into the “ambient computing” era. By combining premium audio, high-quality displays, facial recognition, and (in one case) physical movement, Apple is betting that context-aware, personalized smart home interfaces will finally feel magical rather than gimmicky.
The new Siri-centric OS is particularly important. For years, Siri has lagged behind competitors in natural language understanding and proactivity. A dedicated operating system built from the ground up for home control could finally let Apple deliver on the intelligent assistant promise it first made years ago.
Expected Timeline and Pricing
While Apple has not officially announced either device, reports point to launches possibly as soon as late 2026 or 2027. The smaller Smart Home Hub is likely to be the more affordable of the pair, potentially starting around the price of a current high-end HomePod, while the robotic model will probably cost significantly more given its mechanical complexity.
These developments have been closely tracked by Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman, who has been reporting on Apple’s smart home ambitions for well over a year. Most recently, Gurman has provided ongoing updates on the devices’ development, manufacturing plans in Vietnam, and timelines (with the smaller hub potentially arriving as soon as next year and the robotic model to follow). His reporting remains the most consistent and detailed source on these forthcoming products.
MacDailyNews Take: If these devices deliver on their promise, they could reshape not just Apple’s smart home lineup but the entire market. A privacy-focused robotic FaceTime companion that follows you around the house? That’s the kind of future-looking product Apple has built its reputation on. Stay tuned — the smart home is about to get a lot more interesting.
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GETTR adopts Apple’s Liquid Glass design language across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
GETTR has become one of the latest third-party apps to fully embrace Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language, updating its apps on iOS, iPadOS, and in the browser on macOS.
Announced at WWDC 2025 and rolled out with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26, Liquid Glass represents Apple’s most significant software design evolution in years. It is a dynamic, translucent material that combines the optical properties of real glass — including reflections, refractions, and subtle light interactions — with a unique sense of fluidity. Unlike traditional static UI elements, Liquid Glass dynamically adapts to its surroundings and content. It shifts and transforms in real time to help draw focus to the main content while delivering a more expressive, immersive, and vital feel to controls, navigation bars, tab bars, buttons, widgets, and app icons. The material intelligently responds to light and dark modes, ambient colors, and user interactions, creating a harmonious experience that feels both premium and responsive across Apple’s platforms.
By adopting Liquid Glass, GETTR’s iOS, iPadOS, and macOS apps now feature smoother, more modern interface elements that let users’ content shine through with elegant translucency and fluid animations. The update brings the popular free-speech social platform in line with Apple’s unified design system, offering a more consistent and polished experience whether users are on iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
This move highlights GETTR’s commitment to delivering a high-quality native experience on Apple devices and positions the app among forward-thinking platforms that are quickly integrating the new design language.
MacDailyNews Note: GETTR users can follow MacDailyNews on GETTR here.
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[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers too numerous to mention individually for the heads up.]
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