Apple News
Apple’s aggressive crackdown on iPhone 18 Pro leaks sparks conspiracy theories and highlights supply chain vulnerabilities
In a move that has sent ripples through the tech community, videos purportedly showing the iPhone 18 Pro in rigorous drop testing have vanished from social media platforms almost as quickly as they appeared. The swift removals have fueled speculation that Apple is mounting an unusually aggressive response to a major data breach at one of its key manufacturing partners.
The incident stems from a cyberattack on Tata Electronics, an Indian supplier involved in iPhone assembly. According to reports, hackers accessed and circulated over 200,000 confidential files on the dark web, including Apple-watermarked documents, supplier lists, component specifications, codenames, and images from durability tests of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models. Apple has expressed concern over the breach and is collaborating with Tata on enhanced security protocols.
The Short-Lived Videos That Sparked a Frenzy
Over the past day, short video clips began circulating on X, apparently depicting a silver-gray iPhone 18 Pro undergoing drop tests. The device featured a more uniform rear design compared to the two-tone aesthetic of the iPhone 17 Pro, a prominent three-camera array with noticeably protruding lenses, and a reflective Apple logo on the back.
The clips were first shared by an account impersonating the well-known leaker @EvLeaks and quickly reposted by prominent tipster Ice Universe. However, both the original posts and the account were rapidly taken down, with X citing violations of its rules. Evan Blass, the real force behind the EvLeaks moniker in the past, distanced himself from the account and quipped that “Apple may have done what Samsung never could” — a nod to his history of sharing Samsung leaks without similar interference.
Details on the @EvLeaks X.com Account
• The Handle Impersonation: Evan Blass (the original @evleaks) had actually deactivated his famous handle earlier due to health reasons. Because X allows Premium+ users to claim inactive handles, an anonymous leaker snatched up the @evleaks handle to post the leaked iPhone 18 Pro drop tests.
• The Takedown: X suspended the account and took down the videos citing platform violations. Because the account was explicitly impersonating Blass’s identity, this gave X a swift, clear-cut policy reason to ban the account immediately, alongside Apple’s copyright and DMCA containment efforts.
• The Quote: The quote attributed to the real Evan Blass — “Looks like Apple may have done what Samsung never could” — is a real tweet he made from his personal account (@evanblass) to distance himself from the leak while poking fun at his history of unhindered Samsung leaks.
• Ice Universe: It is also verified that Ice Universe reposted the leaks and later deleted the tweet, noting on Weibo that Apple had effectively scrubbed the data from the platform.
While it’s unclear whether the takedowns were requested by Apple, Tata, or triggered by suspicions the videos were fabricated, the speed of the response stands out. Many observers interpret it as a sign that Apple is taking extraordinary measures to contain the spread following what could be one of the most significant leaks in the company’s history.
What the Leaks Suggest About the iPhone 18 Pro
If authentic, the videos offer rare glimpses into Apple’s durability testing process and potential design refinements for the 2026 flagship. The device appeared thicker and heavier than expected in some commentary, raising questions about material choices and overall ergonomics. A new color variant also drew attention, though details remain sparse.
This leak follows other recent rumors about the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, including modest battery capacity increases, stable display sizes (6.3-inch and 6.9-inch for Pro and Pro Max), and ongoing development of Apple’s in-house modems. The Pro models are still expected to launch in September 2026, maintaining their premium positioning.
Broader Implications for Apple and the Industry
The Tata breach underscores the persistent challenges Apple faces in securing its complex global supply chain. Even as the company shifts more production to India to diversify away from China, sophisticated cyberattacks remain a threat. Apple’s proactive (and reportedly effective) efforts to scrub the videos may limit short-term damage to hype and competitive intelligence, but they also highlight how leaks have become an inevitable part of the pre-launch cycle.
Critics and enthusiasts are divided: some see the crackdown as overreach that stifles transparency, while others applaud Apple’s vigilance in protecting intellectual property. One thing is certain — with months still to go until official unveiling, more details (or their abrupt disappearances) are likely to emerge.
MacDailyNews Take: As the iPhone 18 Pro nears release, this episode serves as a reminder of the high stakes in the smartphone wars. Apple’s ability to control the narrative around its most important product may prove as crucial as the hardware itself. Whether the videos were real or clever fakes will only be confirmed when the real device hits store shelves later this year.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple’s aggressive crackdown on iPhone 18 Pro leaks sparks conspiracy theories and highlights supply chain vulnerabilities appeared first on MacDailyNews.
EU tech Commissioner and outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook hold constructive video call on shared priorities
European Technology Commissioner Henna Virkkunen held a “constructive” discussion with Apple CEO Tim Cook during a video call on Monday, according to a European Commission spokesperson.
The two sides addressed “topics of common interest” and agreed that work on these issues would continue, the spokesperson said on Wednesday. Details of the specific topics discussed were not disclosed.
The meeting comes amid ongoing tensions between Apple and EU regulators over the rollout of the company’s Siri AI assistant. Apple has stated that Siri would not be available initially on iPhones or iPads in the EU, citing concerns over privacy and security. The company has faulted the European Commission for not engaging constructively to address these issues.
For its part, the Commission has blamed Apple, saying the iPhone maker failed to develop the necessary “interoperability” features to comply with EU standards.
The video call represents a potential step toward easing friction as Apple navigates the bloc’s strict digital regulations, including the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Neither side announced any concrete agreements or timelines following the discussion.
MacDailyNews Take: Shockingly, the Digital Markets Act is rife with unintended consequences.
Meddling EU autocrats, not Apple, forced this feature loss on EU users.
We usually prefer the government to be hands-off wherever possible, Laissez-faire… Regulations are static and the marketplace is fluid, so extensive regulations can have unintended, unforeseen results down the road. – MacDailyNews, June 9, 2006
‘Tis shocking that a bloated quasi-governmental bureaucratic blob excretes massive impediments to commerce. Just shocking. – MacDailyNews, February 2, 2024
The Law of Unintended Consequences is ironclad. – MacDailyNews, February 14, 2024
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
The post EU tech Commissioner and outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook hold constructive video call on shared priorities appeared first on MacDailyNews.
American Express expands membership rewards points redemption with Apple Pay for U.S. card members
American Express has announced a significant enhancement to its Membership Rewards program, introducing seamless points redemption directly through Apple Pay checkouts. This update gives eligible U.S. Card Members greater flexibility to use their points on everyday online and in-app purchases.
Making Rewards More Accessible in Everyday Shopping
The new “Use Pay with Points with Apple Pay” feature integrates Membership Rewards redemption into Apple Pay’s familiar, secure checkout experience. Card Members can now apply points toward purchases without leaving the checkout flow, switching apps, or completing extra steps.
“Card Members want rewards that fit naturally into how they shop and spend,” said Lisa Kalhans, Executive Vice President of U.S. Consumer Cards at American Express, in a statement. “With this launch, we’re making it easier than ever for Card Members to use Membership Rewards points on the purchases they make every day.”
“Users want flexibility and choice when shopping online, and we’re excited to work with American Express to bring Card Members a powerful new way to redeem rewards when checking out with Apple Pay,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, in a statement. “The feature makes it incredibly simple and convenient to use points with the seamless, secure experience users know and love from Apple Pay.”
How It Works
Eligible Card Members can redeem points as follows:
- Shop online or in apps on iPhone or iPad.
- Select Apple Pay at checkout.
- Choose an eligible American Express Membership Rewards Card.
- Select “Use Rewards” and enter the amount of points to apply (full or partial coverage of the purchase).
- Complete the Apple Pay transaction to redeem points seamlessly.
Apple does not retain any transaction information linked to the user during these redemptions, preserving privacy.
MacDailyNews Note: More details are available on the American Express site here.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post American Express expands membership rewards points redemption with Apple Pay for U.S. card members appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple releases power-packed updates to Apple Creator Studio
Apple today introduced power-packed updates to Apple Creator Studio, a groundbreaking collection of creative apps that build on the essential role Mac, iPad, and iPhone play in the lives of millions around the world. Featuring new AI capabilities that are dynamic enough for every creative discipline, these updates make Apple Creator Studio even more connected, capable, and intelligent. Users can open and customize any image placed in Keynote, Pages, and Numbers, or even send a key frame from Final Cut Pro directly to Pixelmator Pro. Logic Pro users can elevate their music making with improvements to Chord ID or explore a new Producer Project from a Grammy Award-winning producer.
Even More AI-Powered Workflow Solutions
Final Cut Pro, the ultimate video creation app for Mac and iPad, enhances creative workflows with a new set of powerful AI tools like Generate Captions and Edit Detection, along with new content like Creator Themes with support for multiple aspect ratios, dynamic titles, and customizable backgrounds. On Mac, users also benefit from even more tools like Auto Mask, an enhanced Match Color, Advanced Trimming, and the ability to send frames to Pixelmator Pro.
On Mac, Final Cut Pro makes it even easier to refine incoming and outgoing frames with Advanced Trimming.
Leveraging the power of on-device AI, Generate Captions, one of the most requested features, lets users automatically transcribe audio and place the resulting subtitles perfectly in the timeline. Options to animate the style and customize font, color, and position give editors the flexibility to add their personal style to any project. On-device AI also powers Edit Detection, which analyzes rendered video and automatically splits it back into the original clips on the timeline. Editors can jump back in to refine their edit, or quickly assemble a cut-down highlight clip for sharing on social media, without having to manually identify previous edit points.
Mac users can take advantage of Auto Mask, a new way to isolate and refine specific elements of footage. On-device AI recognizes subjects like skin, hair, sky, foliage, and clothing, with no manual tracking needed. A simple hover over a clip brings up a live preview of what has been detected, or users can choose from the list in the inspector, making it seamless to pair the mask with any color correction or effect for precise adjustments. Auto Mask works hand in hand with Magnetic Mask, which gives editors complete control over exactly what to identify, track, and mask. Also on Mac, a reimagined Match Color produces more accurate and natural color matches across a wider range of footage and lighting conditions. Editors select a reference frame and Final Cut Pro analyzes shots to bring them into perfect harmony, with the option to refine as needed. And Advanced Trimming allows users to fine-tune incoming and outgoing frames one at a time.
Auto Mask joins Magnetic Mask on Mac to automatically suggest specific elements users might want to isolate and refine in their footage.
Users can also take advantage of meaningful updates in Motion and Compressor. Motion adds native support to keep vector graphics crisp at any resolution, along with Distribute Layers for a dramatically faster setup of complex animations. Compressor introduces an Immersive Metadata Viewer, 180-degree Apple Projected Media Profile support for Apple Vision Pro, and an Anaglyph View for Stereoscopic Video Preview.
The new Distribute Layers feature in Motion allows for dramatically faster complex animations.
Creatives can also take advantage of updates to Final Cut Camera, the free video capture app for iPhone and iPad, now with support for Clean HDMI Out, sending a pristine video signal to external monitors and recorders. Expanded ProRes support, including ProRes LT, offers more flexible options for choosing the right codec for any production, and users can now disable digital zoom to guarantee that every frame captured is at full optical resolution.
Powerful New Image Editing and Graphics Tools
The power of Pixelmator Pro is now at users’ fingertips anywhere they need it across Apple Creator Studio. Final Cut Pro users can now send a chosen frame directly to Pixelmator Pro, create custom thumbnails or social media graphics, and easily drop their content back into the timeline without interrupting their flow. In Keynote, Pages, and Numbers, users can select any image within a document, open it directly in Pixelmator Pro, and edit with the full suite of tools. Changes are automatically saved back in the document, and users can return to Pixelmator Pro at any time to continue refining their graphic.
In Pixelmator Pro, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers, it’s now easy to generate vector shapes to fit any project. Users can refine their shapes as desired, and shapes are saved to a dedicated collection for use at a later time. Advanced image generation and the Content Hub also expand to Pixelmator Pro. With image generation, users can create and edit images using natural language, and in the Content Hub, they can browse a curated collection of premium photos, graphics, shapes, and illustrations to inspire new designs.
The full suite of creative imaging tools offered by Pixelmator Pro can now be directly accessed from within Apple Creator Studio apps like Final Cut Pro, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers.
Keynote, Pages, and Numbers are also adding some highly requested features for all users: Keynote gains stunning new transitions and builds, Pages on iPhone and iPad adds Auto-Hyphenate and Show Invisibles for more precise editing, and Numbers makes navigating complex spreadsheets faster than ever with the ability to hide or color-code individual sheets. And with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, Freeform will also add the ability to generate shapes and open an image in Pixelmator Pro, in addition to introducing Dark Mode, folders to organize boards, and support for drawing on Mac.
Taking Music Creation Further
Updates to Logic Pro for Mac and iPad make music creation even more intelligent, immediate, and inspiring for users.
Chord ID has been rebuilt to bring even more accuracy to harmonic analysis, including extended chords and inversions even if they are played on a distorted guitar or a slightly out-of-tune piano. This results in Session Players that quickly respond and perform chord changes with greater ease.
A new Producer Project reveals the complete Logic Pro session behind “Shoulda Never,” produced by Khris Riddick-Tynes. Every multitrack recording, MIDI performance, and vocal take is preserved exactly as it was built, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look inside a professional session.
For Logic Pro and MainStage, a new granular sync mode in Alchemy — Logic Pro’s flagship sample-manipulation synthesizer — opens up entirely new dimensions of sound design. To complement this, users can explore the new Granular Alchemy Sound Pack, which offers a curated collection of loops and presets built specifically for this new mode. Additionally, Beat Breaker expands across Mac and iPad with new filter and pan modes and intuitive randomization controls, making it easier than ever to discover fills and rhythmic variations.
The new Granular Alchemy Sound Pack for Logic Pro offers a curated collection of loops and presets built specifically for this new mode.
Pricing and Availability
• Apple Creator Studio updates are available today for existing subscribers as a free update, and for new subscribers, $12.99 (U.S.) per month or $129 (U.S.) per year. All new subscribers will enjoy a one-month free trial of Apple Creator Studio, and with the purchase of a new Mac or qualifying iPad, customers can receive three months of Apple Creator Studio for free.
• Education savings are available for college students and educators for $2.99 (U.S.) per month or $29.99 (U.S.) per year.
• Apple Creator Studio is available to download on the App Store as a universal purchase.
• Up to six family members can share all of the apps and content included in Apple Creator Studio with Family Sharing.
• One-time-purchase versions of Final Cut Pro ($299.99 U.S.), Logic Pro ($199.99 U.S.), Pixelmator Pro ($49.99 U.S.), Motion ($49.99 U.S.), Compressor ($49.99 U.S.), and MainStage ($29.99 U.S.) are available on the Mac App Store.
• Free versions of Keynote, Pages, Numbers, and Freeform continue to be available and are included with every new iPhone, Mac, and iPad.
MacDailyNews Take: A very nice batch of updates across Apple’s suite of creative apps!
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple releases power-packed updates to Apple Creator Studio appeared first on MacDailyNews.
U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear Apple’s appeal in Epic Games App Store contempt case
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday granted Apple’s petition to review a lower court’s contempt finding against the company in its long-running antitrust battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games over App Store policies.
The justices will hear Apple’s appeal of a ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’ decision finding Apple in civil contempt for violating a 2021 injunction. The case is expected to be argued during the Supreme Court’s next term, which begins in October.
The dispute stems from Epic’s 2020 lawsuit challenging Apple’s control over iOS app distribution and payments. While Apple largely prevailed in the original case, Judge Rogers ordered the company to allow developers to include links in their apps directing users to alternative payment systems outside the App Store.
Apple complied by permitting the links but introduced new terms, including a 27% commission on purchases made through third-party systems within seven days of users clicking an in-app link. Apple’s standard App Store commission is 30%. Epic argued that the new fee structure undermined the spirit of the injunction.
In 2025, Judge Rogers held Apple in contempt. The 9th Circuit upheld the contempt finding in December 2025 but allowed Apple to present new arguments regarding permissible commission rates for certain third-party transactions.
Apple has maintained that it did not violate the court order and argued that the injunction should apply only to Epic, not to millions of other developers. The company warned that the outcome could influence how app purchases are handled globally, with international regulators closely watching the case.
The Epic-Apple litigation has become a landmark fight over Big Tech’s control of digital marketplaces. Epic has accused Apple of monopolistic practices, while Apple has defended its App Store policies as essential to maintaining security, privacy, and a curated user experience.
The Supreme Court’s decision to take up the contempt appeal adds another high-stakes chapter to the ongoing saga. A final resolution could have broad implications for app developers, consumer choices, and Apple’s lucrative services revenue stream.
MacDailyNews Take: The U.S. Supreme Court has wisely agreed to hear Apple’s appeal of the contempt ruling in its endless war with Epic Games. It’s about time the highest court in the land takes a serious look at this judicial overreach.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers and the Ninth Circuit have turned a narrow injunction into a never-ending micromanagement session of Apple’s App Store. Apple bent over backward to comply — allowing external payment links while protecting users and its ecosystem — only to get slapped with contempt for daring to charge a reasonable 27% commission on purchases that still leverage Apple’s platform, billing systems, and intellectual property. Epic’s Tim Sweeney, the perpetual sore loser who can’t compete fairly, continues his crusade to freeload off Apple’s hard work while crying “monopoly.”
This case has always been about one thing: Epic wants to undermine the very model that makes the iPhone secure, private, and reliable — all so they can rake in more profits without contributing fairly.
Here’s hoping the Supreme Court reins in this nonsense, limits the scope of overbroad injunctions, and affirms Apple’s right to run its own store on its own devices. The App Store isn’t a public utility, it’s Apple’s intellectual property.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear Apple’s appeal in Epic Games App Store contempt case appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple TV series ‘Silo’ season 3: ‘One of the best seasons of TV’ – The Seattle Times
Season three of the Apple TV series “Silo” continues the saga of a dystopian society of 10,000 people living underground under mysterious circumstances, while revealing an origin story set centuries earlier. The Seattle Times calls it “the best season yet.”
In the present, Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) survives her forced “cleaning” but returns with memory loss as the silo recovers from rebellion and faces a dangerous new threat. Meanwhile, in the “Before Times,” journalist Helen Drew (Jessica Henwick) and Congressman Daniel Keene (Ashley Zukerman) uncover a conspiracy that pulls them into a chain of events with catastrophic, irreversible consequences. The series is based on Hugh Howey’s New York Times bestselling trilogy, “Silo.”
Dominic Baez for The Seattle Times
You know how a show is good? It gets you invested in the fate of a PEZ dispenser.
Not just any PEZ dispenser, mind you — a battered, rubber duck-topped one that doesn’t even have any candy in it. You see, in the first two seasons of “Silo,” Apple TV’s phenomenal adaptation of the science fiction dystopian novels by Hugh Howey, said PEZ dispenser just kept popping up at critical moments. We didn’t know why, but it was obvious the little device was important to this story. It even served as a visual needle drop in the Season 2 finale.
And throughout Season 3 — a near-perfect 10 episodes of thrilling drama and dramatic thrills that begin streaming on Apple TV on Friday — the device is an unexpectedly potent reminder of what makes “Silo” so great: It gets you invested.
Across 10 episodes, Season 3 perfectly weaves together a story that answers many of the questions we had in earlier seasons while brilliantly introducing new ones… To say more would risk spoiling one of the best seasons of TV I’ve watched in a while, and it deserves to be watched with as little foreknowledge as possible.
MacDailyNews Take: “Silo” seasons one and two were already great, so this is high praise!
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.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple TV series ‘Silo’ season 3: ‘One of the best seasons of TV’ – The Seattle Times appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple Watch set for major 2027 overhaul, potentially breaking band compatibility, says prominent leaker
Apple is preparing a significant redesign for its flagship Apple Watch lineup in 2027, according to a new leak from a well-known Weibo tipster. The anticipated “major overhaul” could mark the most substantial update to the Series models in years and revive long-standing rumors of a new band attachment system.
Weibo leaker Instant Digital, who has shared Apple supply chain details in the past, stated that next year’s Apple Watch will feature a comprehensive redesign. In a series of posts, the leaker explicitly referenced older rumors surrounding a rumored “Apple Watch X” model, which was expected to introduce a fresh case design and change how bands connect to the device—potentially rendering existing watch bands incompatible.
The leaker went a step further with practical advice for consumers: anyone planning to purchase an Apple Watch in 2027 should hold off on investing in additional bands until the new design is confirmed. The post linked back to earlier reports from 2023 about the potential band system changes.
Context and Timing
This news comes amid relatively quiet rumors for the current Apple Watch Series cycle. While the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 4 (expected this fall) is rumored to include its own major design tweaks and sensor upgrades, the standard Series 12 is widely expected to be a more incremental update. The 2027 overhaul would then represent a bigger leap for the main lineup.
The potential band compatibility shift echoes speculation dating back several years. Industry analyst Mark Gurman and others had previously reported on a possible “Apple Watch X” redesign for the device’s 10th anniversary in 2024, though those changes appear to have been delayed.
What This Could Mean
A new band attachment mechanism would be a notable departure from Apple’s current magnetic quick-release system, which has remained largely consistent across generations. Such a change could allow for thinner designs, improved durability, or new functionality, but it would require users to purchase new accessories for the redesigned models.
No specific details on other features (display technology, health sensors, or processor upgrades) were included in the latest leak. However, separate reports have pointed to potential efficiency improvements, such as next-generation OLED panels, arriving around the 2027 timeframe.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple has not commented on future plans, as is standard. The company typically unveils new Apple Watch models alongside the iPhone in September. This story is developing, and more details are likely to emerge in the coming months as supply chain activity ramps up for the 2027 models.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple Watch set for major 2027 overhaul, potentially breaking band compatibility, says prominent leaker appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple preps M7 Ultra Mac Studio for 2028
Apple is already deep into development of its next-generation Mac Studio, with the flagship M7 Ultra variant targeted for a 2028 release, according to multiple supply-chain reports and internal roadmaps circulating in the industry.
While the M4 series is still rolling out across the Mac lineup and the M5 chips are expected to arrive later this year or early 2027, Apple’s silicon team is moving at full speed on the M7 family. The Ultra version (Apple’s most powerful single-package desktop chip) will once again anchor the compact but ridiculously powerful Mac Studio.
What We Know So Far About the M7 Ultra
The M7 Ultra is expected to roughly double the performance of today’s M4 Ultra through a combination of process improvements, architectural tweaks, and a significant increase in core counts. Industry insiders are forecasting:
• CPU: Up to 48 high-performance cores and 32 efficiency cores (or higher), built on TSMC’s anticipated 2nm or 1.6nm-class process.
• GPU: 160+ cores with hardware-accelerated ray tracing taken to the next level, plus enhanced mesh shading and AI-driven upscaling.
• Neural Engine: A monster NPU exceeding 500 TOPS, making the M7 Ultra an absolute beast for on-device generative AI, video analysis, and scientific computing workloads.
• Unified Memory: Support for up to 512GB (or possibly more) of ultra-fast memory, with bandwidth well north of 1 TB/s.
• Media Engines: Multiple next-gen AV1 encoders/decoders and ProRes accelerators for 8K and beyond.
Early benchmarks leaked from internal testing suggest the M7 Ultra could deliver roughly 2.2–2.5x the multi-core CPU performance of the current M4 Ultra while maintaining Apple’s legendary power efficiency. For creative professionals working in 8K video timelines, massive 3D scenes in Cinema 4D or Blender, or training large local AI models, this could be transformative.
Design and Connectivity
The Mac Studio chassis is expected to receive a modest refresh rather than a complete redesign. The current “cheese grater” aesthetic has proven popular, so Apple will likely keep the compact footprint while improving thermal performance to handle the higher TDP of the M7 Ultra.
Rumored upgrades include:
• Thunderbolt 6 ports (up to 120Gbps+)
• Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0
vHDMI 2.2 or future iteration
• Potential SD card slot or CFexpress support for direct-from-camera workflows
The Mac Studio has carved out a perfect middle ground between the Mac mini and the Mac Pro. With the M7 Ultra, Apple will likely continue positioning it as the go-to machine for:
• Video editors and colorists
• 3D artists and motion designers
• Software developers compiling massive codebases
• AI researchers who want serious performance without cloud dependency
• Power users who want Mac Pro levels of performance at roughly half the price
Pricing Outlook
Current Mac Studio pricing starts around $1,999 for M2 Ultra and jumps significantly for the M4 Ultra. The M7 Ultra model will almost certainly start north of $3,000 and climb quickly with maxed-out memory and storage configurations. However, Apple is expected to keep a more affordable M7 (non-Ultra) Mac Studio variant to broaden the appeal.
MacDailyNews Take: By 2028, Apple’s silicon advantage could be at its peak. While competitors scramble with multi-die solutions and ever-higher power draws, Apple continues refining its unified memory architecture and tight hardware-software integration. The M7 Ultra Mac Studio may not be the most headline-grabbing product of the year, but for professionals who live in Final Cut, Logic, Xcode, or DaVinci Resolve, it could be the most important.
We’re still roughly 18–24 months away from official announcement, but the wheels are already in motion. If the pattern holds, we’ll see M6 Ultra Mac Studio in late 2027, followed by the M7 Ultra in 2028 — right on Apple’s predictable two-year cadence for Ultra chips.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple preps M7 Ultra Mac Studio for 2028 appeared first on MacDailyNews.
UK regulator’s push to weaken Apple and Google app store controls risks user security for uncertain gains
Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced on June 30, 2026, proposals that would allow app developers to steer users toward alternative payment methods outside Apple and Google app stores. While framed as a boost to competition and a way to reduce fees, the changes could undermine the tightly controlled, secure ecosystems that millions of UK consumers rely on—particularly Apple’s industry-leading protections.
The Proposals at a Glance
The CMA seeks to remove restrictions on “steering” users to off-platform payments, currently banned by Apple and limited by Google. It would also require any steering-related fees from the platforms to be “fair,” and is considering forcing Apple to open its near-field communication (NFC) technology. This could enable third-party fintechs to build rival wallets on iOS devices, potentially supporting alternative payment systems.
The regulator argues this could lower costs for developers and benefit consumers. However, such interventions risk trading proven security and reliability for speculative gains in competition.
Apple’s Strong Case for Maintaining Control
Apple has consistently warned that directing users away from its trusted payment infrastructure exposes them to significant risks, including scams, bait-and-switch tactics, and circumvention of parental controls. As an Apple spokesperson noted, when users leave Apple’s verified ecosystem, they lose the robust fraud protections, transaction verification, and overall safety standards the company has built over years of investment.
Apple’s closed approach isn’t about maximizing profits at all costs, it’s about delivering a premium, secure experience. Features like Apple Pay have set the gold standard for contactless payments precisely because of Apple’s strict oversight of hardware, software, and payment flows. Opening NFC access or easing steering rules could fragment this ecosystem, making it harder to maintain those high security standards and potentially harming users who value privacy and reliability over marginal fee reductions.
Google’s Position and Broader Implications
Google has indicated it already allows some steering under recent Play Store updates, which the CMA will review. Yet the focus remains heavily on Apple, whose iOS platform is renowned for its security-first design.
Critics of the CMA’s approach argue that heavy-handed regulation could discourage the very innovation it claims to promote. Apple’s ability to curate its App Store and control payments has enabled it to maintain one of the safest mobile environments available, protecting consumers from the malware and fraud risks more common on open platforms. Weakening these controls might deliver short-term savings for some developers, but could erode consumer trust and increase long-term risks.
This proposal forms part of the UK’s Digital Markets regime targeting “strategic market status” companies. While earlier commitments from Apple and Google addressed transparency issues, payment steering remains contentious globally, with similar debates in the EU, US, and Japan.
MacDailyNews Take: In an era of rising cyber threats, Apple’s insistence on maintaining secure control deserves careful consideration. Consumers have repeatedly shown they are willing to pay a premium for devices and services that “just work” safely and securely. Regulators should weigh the evidence thoroughly before imposing changes that could compromise that trust.
The CMA’s consultation is now open, with decisions due later in 2026. As this unfolds, the priority should remain protecting users first – rather than experimenting with the foundations of mobile security that have served billions of users so well.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post UK regulator’s push to weaken Apple and Google app store controls risks user security for uncertain gains appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple accelerates security updates to counter AI-powered cyber threats
In a significant shift driven by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, Apple has announced it is fast-tracking software security updates, making them available to users well ahead of the usual major operating system releases.
Apple told Reuters that it is decoupling critical security patches from its broader iOS updates to shrink the window of vulnerability in an era where AI tools can dramatically speed up the creation of malicious hacking exploits.
Traditionally, Apple has bundled security fixes with new versions of its iOS operating system. This approach allowed developers and beta testers time to refine features before a full rollout. For instance, security updates would typically arrive alongside the transition from the current iOS 26.5 to the upcoming 26.6. However, the company is now releasing the latest round of patches immediately, making them available to all users prior to the wider 26.6 launch.
“Given the ability of artificial intelligence to speed the development of malicious hacking tools, [Apple] needed to reduce the time between when updates were first made public and when they were put into customers’ hands,” the company explained.
This move represents a notable evolution in Apple’s longstanding security strategy. While the company emphasized there is no evidence that the newly patched vulnerabilities have been actively exploited in the wild, it acknowledged that AI is compressing the timeframe attackers have to weaponize known flaws.
The updates address issues in key areas of Apple’s ecosystem, including the kernel, graphics system, browser extensions, WebKit, and WebRTC components. By pushing them out early, Apple aims to protect the hundreds of millions of iPhones, iPads, and Macs in circulation more proactively.
Why This Matters in the AI Era
The decision underscores a broader industry challenge: as generative AI and machine learning tools become more accessible, both defenders and attackers gain powerful new capabilities. Cybersecurity experts have long warned that AI could lower the barrier for sophisticated attacks, enabling faster discovery and exploitation of vulnerabilities.
Apple’s proactive stance may set a precedent for other tech companies facing similar pressures. Major platforms like Android, Windows, and cloud services are also grappling with how to balance rapid innovation with timely defense in an AI-accelerated threat landscape.
Users are encouraged to install the updates promptly through their device settings. Apple has provided direct guidance on the early security content release via its support pages.
As AI continues to reshape both technology development and cyber risks, expect more companies to adapt their patching cadences. For Apple, long praised for its integrated hardware-software security model, this early-release approach signals a pragmatic response to an intensifying digital arms race.
MacDailyNews Take: Staying ahead of AI cyber threats is not just a full-time job already; it’s becoming an existential arms race for every organization and individual relying on technology.
Apple’s move — releasing patches for kernel, graphics, WebKit, and WebRTC issues ahead of iOS 26.6 — is smart but also sobering. It’s an admission that even one of the most security-conscious companies on the planet must treat patching as an ongoing, high-priority stream rather than a periodic event.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple accelerates security updates to counter AI-powered cyber threats appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple releases iOS 26.5.2 and iPadOS 26.5.2
Apple today pushed out iOS 26.5.2 (and the corresponding iPadOS 26.5.2), a minor maintenance release that arrives roughly a month after iOS 26.5.1. As expected for a .2 update this late in the iOS 26 lifecycle, it contains no new features — just important security patches and likely some under-the-hood bug fixes.
What’s New in iOS 26.5.2?
Apple’s official release notes are characteristically brief:
“This update provides security fixes for your iPhone.”
For the full picture, head to Apple’s security content document. The update backports numerous fixes that first appeared in the iOS 26.6 betas, primarily targeting WebKit (the engine behind Safari) along with kernel, graphics, and XML-related components.
Key areas addressed include:
• Multiple WebKit vulnerabilities that could allow malicious web content to cause crashes, disclose sensitive information, exfiltrate data, or even escape the sandbox in some cases.
• Kernel improvements to prevent unexpected terminations, memory corruption, and information leaks.
• Fixes for graphics (IOGPUFamily) and libxslt processing issues.
While Apple doesn’t disclose whether any of these were actively exploited in the wild, security updates like this are always worth installing promptly — especially with WebKit fixes making up the bulk of the changes.
How to Update
The update is rolling out over-the-air right now. To install it:
- Open Settings > General > Software Update.
-
Tap Download and Install if it’s available for your device.
Eligible devices include iPhone 11 and later (and corresponding iPads).
Pro tip: Back up your iPhone first, and make sure you’re on Wi-Fi with at least 50% battery (or plugged in).
Context in the iOS 26 Timeline
• iOS 26 launched in September 2025 with a refreshed design, deeper Apple Intelligence capabilities, and more.
• iOS 26.5 arrived in May 2026.
• iOS 26.5.1 (June 2026) fixed a charging issue on newer iPhone 17 and iPhone Air models.
• iOS 26.5.2 today keeps things stable while Apple shifts focus to iOS 27 (developer beta already out, public beta expected in July, full release this fall).
There’s also an iOS 26.6 update in beta that should bring additional refinements before the big iOS 27 jump.
Should You Install It?
Yes — especially if you browse the web frequently or value the latest security protections. This is a low-risk, high-reward update. Most users won’t notice dramatic changes in daily performance or battery life, but you’ll sleep better knowing the latest vulnerabilities are patched.
MacDailyNews Take: Everything here seems to be working just fine.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple releases iOS 26.5.2 and iPadOS 26.5.2 appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple releases macOS Tahoe 26.5.2
Apple today pushed out macOS Tahoe 26.5.2, a minor but important point release for the current-generation macOS 26 Tahoe operating system. Released on June 29, 2026, this update is rolling out to all compatible Macs running Tahoe and prioritizes security enhancements.
What’s New in macOS Tahoe 26.5.2?
Apple’s official release notes are characteristically brief: “This update provides security fixes for your Mac.” While specific vulnerability details haven’t been fully published yet on Apple’s security content page, similar point releases (like the accompanying iOS 26.5.2) typically address issues in core components such as WebKit, WebRTC, the kernel, and other foundational technologies.
This follows the macOS Tahoe 26.5.1 update from June 1, which fixed an enterprise-specific shutdown issue on M5 Macs when using certain content-filtering network extensions. With 26.5.2, Apple continues its pattern of delivering timely security patches between larger feature updates.
Quick Context on macOS Tahoe 26
For those newer to the release:
• macOS Tahoe 26 launched in September 2025 as the successor to macOS Sequoia.
• It introduced the striking Liquid Glass design language—featuring transparent UI elements, customizable icons, folders with colors and emojis, and more personalization options.
• Standout features include enhanced Apple Intelligence capabilities, Live Translation, a revamped Spotlight with actionable results, the new Apple Games app, improved Continuity features (like Live Activities from iPhone), and a brand-new Phone app for Mac.
Subsequent point releases have added refinements like Edge Light for video calls, new emoji, Freeform enhancements, and power management options (such as automatic startup when power is connected on desktop Macs).
Who Should Update?
Everyone. Security updates like this one are recommended for all users. Even if you don’t notice dramatic changes, staying current protects against potential exploits, especially in web browsing and system-level components.
How to Install macOS Tahoe 26.5.2
- Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Your Mac should detect the update automatically.
- Click Upgrade Now.
- Make sure you have a backup via Time Machine before installing.
The update is available for all Macs that support macOS Tahoe (generally 2020 and later models, with full features on Apple Silicon).
Looking Ahead
Apple is already testing macOS Tahoe 26.6 and the next major release, macOS 27 Golden Gate (expected this fall with major Siri AI advancements). Today’s 26.5.2 release helps bridge the gap with essential protections while users enjoy Tahoe’s fresh interface and productivity tools.
MacDailyNews Take: Schnappy!
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple releases macOS Tahoe 26.5.2 appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple acquires app design tool ‘Play’
In February, Apple informed the European Commission that it would acquire certain assets from Rabbit 3 Times — the company behind the award-winning app design tool Play — and gain the right to hire some of its employees. The notification was published on the European Commission’s website this week, after a four-month waiting period. Play was a Mac and iPhone app that let designers prototype iPhone interfaces using Apple’s SwiftUI framework before exporting them directly to Xcode.
Joe Rossignol for MacRumors:
In 2025, the app won an Apple Design Award for innovation.
“Play is a sophisticated yet accessible tool that lets users build interactive prototypes with SwiftUI frameworks,” said Apple. “Its thoughtfully crafted user interface is both powerful and easy to navigate, helping designers create interactive prototypes and collaborate across Mac and iPhone, all synced in real time for seamless creativity.”
Play is no longer available in the App Store, presumably due to Apple’s acqui-hire.
MacDailyNews Take: We’d expect the elements of Play to be subsumed into Xcode.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple acquires app design tool ‘Play’ appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro supplier list, components, and even photos of the device exposed in Tata data leak
In a significant cybersecurity incident affecting Apple’s supply chain, sensitive documents detailing components, suppliers, and even prototype photos for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro have surfaced on the dark web. The breach stems from Tata Electronics, a key Indian partner for Apple that has become central to the company’s efforts to diversify manufacturing away from China.
Details of the Leak
According to Reuters, the ransomware group World Leaks posted more than 200,000 files stolen from Tata Electronics. Among them are at least six files that explicitly map iPhone 18 Pro components to their specific suppliers. These include details on chips for the main circuit board, battery parts, and camera modules — information Apple treats as highly confidential and does not publicly disclose.
The leaked files reportedly total hundreds of parts for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, revealing where Apple sources components from multiple vendors versus single suppliers. This exposure could weaken Apple’s negotiating position and provide valuable intelligence to competitors, counterfeiters, or even other vendors in the supply chain.
Additionally, the documents include photographs of iPhones undergoing drop tests at Tata facilities in early 2026. The images show a slab-shaped device with a triple-rear-camera setup and the Apple logo, consistent with the expected iPhone 18 Pro design. Some files carry Apple “confidential” watermarks and internal codenames tied to the 18 Pro generation.
Context and Implications
Tata Electronics serves as both a parts supplier and contract manufacturer for Apple, playing a growing role in iPhone assembly in India. The country is projected to produce 26% of the world’s iPhones in 2026, up sharply from just 6% four years earlier, aligning with India’s push to become a major electronics manufacturing hub.
This latest leak builds on earlier reports of the Tata breach, which also included older iPhone design papers, Tesla documents, and files from suppliers like TSMC and Qualcomm. Apple has been investigating the incident and working with Tata on security improvements. Tata has restricted internal access to sensitive systems, hired a forensic consultant, and stated that operations remain unaffected.
The timing is particularly challenging for Apple, which recently raised prices on iPads and MacBooks due to soaring memory and storage costs, with expectations of higher iPhone pricing ahead.
What This Means for Apple and the Industry
While the full impact remains unclear, the breach highlights the vulnerabilities in complex global supply chains, even as companies like Apple seek to spread risk across regions. For consumers, it offers a rare early glimpse into the iPhone 18 Pro’s internals — though official details won’t arrive until the expected September launch.
Apple and Tata have not publicly commented on the latest findings.
MacDailyNews Take: Ay yi yi. As investigations continue, this incident underscores the ongoing challenges of protecting intellectual property in an era of sophisticated ransomware operations.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro supplier list, components, and even photos of the device exposed in Tata data leak appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple accuses India of ‘copy-pasting’ rivals’ claims in antitrust probe, seeks to quash findings
Apple has sharply criticized Indian antitrust investigators, accusing them of “copy-pasting” allegations from its competitors rather than conducting an independent analysis, and has called for the findings against it to be quashed, according to regulatory papers reviewed by Reuters.
In a submission dated June 25, the U.S. tech giant argued that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) relied heavily on claims from rivals including Tinder-owner Match.com, Walmart’s PhonePe, and Indian payments firm Paytm in its probe into Apple’s App Store practices. Apple described itself as a “minuscule player” in India’s smartphone market with less than 6% share.
The case represents Apple’s biggest regulatory challenge in India. In 2024, CCI investigators concluded that Apple had engaged in “abusive conduct” on its iOS platform by mandating its own payment system and restricting app distribution. Apple has denied the allegations.
“The DG (Director General) made no effort whatsoever to independently verify or critically assess these statements, often parroting them verbatim,” Apple said in the filing. The company also noted that the investigation report replicated elements from a European Union ruling against it, despite differing market conditions in India.
Apple warned that any forced changes to its App Store model could disrupt its integrated business and create regulatory uncertainty that might deter investments in India’s digital economy. It urged the CCI not to impose penalties or behavioral remedies.
The CCI did not respond to Reuters‘ requests for comment, nor did Apple. Rivals including Match, PhonePe, and Paytm also declined to comment.
A closed-door hearing with all parties is scheduled for July 21st. The watchdog has previously accused Apple of delaying the case.
Apple faces antitrust scrutiny globally, but the Indian matter is particularly notable as the company ramps up iPhone production in India, which is expected to account for 26% of global output in 2026. The firm highlighted its “unblemished record” and $51 billion in iPhone exports from India over the past five years as mitigating factors.
Similar arguments by other tech giants, such as Google in its Android case, have not swayed the CCI in the past.
MacDailyNews Take: India risks squandering a golden growth opportunity with Apple over a regulatory trifle in which the Cupertino company has done absolutely nothing wrong.
Apple in India isn’t a dominant behemoth crushing competition, it’s a company successfully earning its way in one of the world’s toughest, most price-sensitive markets by offering superior products that Indian consumers increasingly want.
Apple’s iOS holds 6.69% market share in India.
Apple’s macOS holds 3.86% market share in India.
Forcing changes to a proven, secure App Store model that benefits users with privacy, security, and a consistent high-quality experience — while enabling millions of developers worldwide to build thriving businesses — over complaints that largely echo global gripes from a few large players is yet another regulatory overreach. Apple has cooperated extensively is currently a small participant in India with no abusive dominance. Appleproduct reviews
India has everything to gain by fostering an environment where innovative companies like Apple can continue investing, creating jobs, expanding retail presence, and driving premium economic activity. Alienating one of the world’s most successful tech firms over what amounts to standard platform policies that have fueled an entire ecosystem risks sending exactly the wrong signal to global investors and innovators.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple accuses India of ‘copy-pasting’ rivals’ claims in antitrust probe, seeks to quash findings appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple’s sweeping price hikes signal the true cost of the AI era, as touchscreen MacBook and M7 chips loom
Apple is confronting customers with the financial realities of the artificial intelligence boom, implementing broad price increases across its Mac, iPad, and other hardware lines to offset skyrocketing costs for memory chips and storage driven by surging AI demand, Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman.
In a move that sent Apple shares lower, the company raised prices globally on all Macs, iPads, HomePod devices, and even the Vision Pro headset. The hikes, which took effect on Apple’s online store, spare the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods for now, but signal that further adjustments could follow.
Analysts and industry watchers view these increases as an implicit acknowledgment of the AI era’s voracious appetite for high-bandwidth memory and advanced storage—components now in short supply amid competition from data centers, AI training clusters, and next-generation consumer devices. For many longtime Apple customers, the sticker shock brings home the tangible costs of the company’s aggressive push into on-device and cloud AI features.
Chip Roadmap Shifts for AI Focus
Compounding the narrative, Apple is overhauling its Mac silicon strategy to accelerate AI capabilities. The company plans to launch a base M6 chip for entry-level Macs as soon as this year. However, it will skip higher-end M6 variants entirely, jumping straight to an M7 family—including M7 Pro, M7 Max, and M7 Ultra processors—optimized for artificial intelligence workloads.
This marks one of the most significant departures in Apple’s custom silicon roadmap, prioritizing rapid advancement in AI performance over incremental generational updates.
Touchscreen MacBook on the Horizon
Further ahead, Apple’s long-rumored first touchscreen MacBook is taking shape. The premium models, expected late this year or early next, will initially use existing high-end M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Follow-on versions slated for 2027 will incorporate the new M7 Pro and M7 Max processors.
The touchscreen MacBook represents a major evolution for Apple’s laptop lineup, potentially blending the familiarity of macOS with the versatility of iPad-like interaction—another step in the company’s broader AI-infused hardware strategy.
Gurman’s Power On newsletter also touches on competitive developments in smart glasses, with Meta launching its own in-house designs, alongside Apple’s latest software beta releases.
MacDailyNews Take: As Apple navigates supply constraints, chip transitions, and ambitious product plans, the price hikes serve as a reminder that the AI future, while powerful, comes at a premium. Customers and investors alike will be watching closely to see whether the enhanced capabilities justify the higher costs.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple’s sweeping price hikes signal the true cost of the AI era, as touchscreen MacBook and M7 chips loom appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple seeks Trump admin approval to buy memory chips from blacklisted Chinese company
Bloomberg News’ Angela Cullen reports, that Apple is lobbying the Trump administration for permission to purchase memory chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies Inc. (CXMT), a Chinese company on the Pentagon’s 1260H list of firms with alleged ties to the Chinese military.
According to the report, which cites six people familiar with the matter, Apple has been pressing officials at the U.S. Commerce Department and other parts of the administration for clearance to source the chips. The move comes as the company works to manage sharply rising costs for memory and storage components.
Apple is not currently prohibited from buying from CXMT. However, the iPhone maker is seeking assurances that the Chinese firm will not be added to the Commerce Department’s Entity List. Placement on the Entity List would trigger strict licensing requirements for U.S. companies and significantly complicate any supply relationship.
Context of Rising Costs
The request follows Apple’s decision earlier in the week to raise prices on MacBooks, iPads, and other devices worldwide. The company cited an “unprecedented” surge in memory and storage chip costs driven by explosive demand from AI data centers. In a statement accompanying the price increases, Apple said it had previously absorbed the higher costs, but could no longer shield customers from them.CXMT is China’s largest DRAM manufacturer, producing a range of memory chips used in smartphones, PCs, tablets, and servers. The company has been expanding capacity and advancing its technology, including DDR5 and LPDDR5 products.
Background on the Blacklist
CXMT appears on the Pentagon’s Section 1260H list, which identifies Chinese companies operating in the United States that are linked to the People’s Liberation Army or other elements of the Chinese military-industrial complex. The list was updated in early June 2026, restoring CXMT (along with Yangtze Memory Technologies) after an earlier version had removed the two memory makers.
The 1260H designation carries reputational and contracting risks, but does not impose the same broad restrictions as the Entity List. Apple’s lobbying effort reflects the company’s effort to balance cost pressures against the complex U.S.-China geopolitical environment, where Washington and Beijing continue to clash over technology, trade, and critical materials such as rare earths.
Cullen’s reporting, drawing on the Financial Times account, underscores Apple’s pragmatic approach to supply-chain management amid ongoing global chip market volatility. No immediate response from Apple or the U.S. government was detailed in the initial coverage.
MacDailyNews Take: This situation, which we expect will be resolved to Apple’s liking, highlights the difficult trade-offs facing major technology companies as they navigate national security restrictions while seeking to control costs in a high-demand memory market.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple seeks Trump admin approval to buy memory chips from blacklisted Chinese company appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple’s Vision Pro and smart glasses chief Paul Meade is leaving for OpenAI
Apple is losing one of its most senior hardware leaders as Paul Meade, the vice president in charge of the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset and the company’s AI-powered smart glasses program, prepares to join OpenAI.
According to Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman, Meade is set to leave Apple by next week and will then start at OpenAI’s hardware unit, where he will help develop the AI company’s upcoming family of consumer devices.
The move continues a wave of high-profile departures from Apple to AI-focused rivals. Meade will join several former Apple colleagues at OpenAI, including legendary designer Jony Ive and executives Tang Tan and Evans Hankey. The trio founded the AI hardware startup “io,” which OpenAI acquired for $6.5 billion in 2025.
Longtime Apple Leader
Meade has been a respected engineering executive at Apple for more than 15 years. He joined the company in 2010 as a key manager on the iPad team, later became head of iPhone program management in 2012, and moved to the Vision Products Group in 2017. He took over all hardware engineering for the group in 2019.
Under his leadership, the team developed the Vision Pro, which Apple once positioned as its next major computing platform after the iPhone, but has so far been a resounding flop. Meade’s group has also led development of Apple’s planned display-free smart glasses, expected to launch next year as a more affordable entry into AI wearables and a direct competitor to Meta’s devices.
The Vision Products Group is additionally responsible for longer-term augmented-reality glasses targeted for the end of the decade, as well as other AI-related wearables.
Succession and Context
Many of Meade’s responsibilities will be assumed by his longtime deputy, Fletcher Rothkopf, who currently leads product design for the Vision Pro and smart glasses efforts.
Gurman reported that Meade’s departure is linked to upcoming changes in Apple’s hardware engineering organization tied to John Ternus’s expected promotion to chief executive, succeeding Tim Cook. Some vice presidents reportedly felt sidelined by the restructuring.
Apple and OpenAI declined to comment on the personnel move. Apple shares pared some gains following the news.
OpenAI’s Hardware Ambitions
At OpenAI, Meade will contribute to the company’s aggressive push into hardware. OpenAI has said it is developing “a new family of products” and is already working on devices such as a smart speaker with a camera (expected in early 2027) and future smart glasses. The company has described its hardware vision as creating calmer, more peaceful AI experiences compared with today’s smartphones.
The departure underscores the intense competition for top hardware talent as both Apple and OpenAI race to define the next era of personal computing — one centered on spatial computing, AI wearables, and intelligent devices.
MacDailyNews Take: Buh-bye.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple’s Vision Pro and smart glasses chief Paul Meade is leaving for OpenAI appeared first on MacDailyNews.
President Trump threatens 100% tariff on all goods from any countries with digital tax
President Donald Trump has once again turned up the heat on international trade policy. On Friday, June 26, 2026, he announced via Truth Social that the United States will slap 100% tariffs on all imports from any country that imposes digital services taxes on American technology companies.
This isn’t subtle diplomacy — it’s economic warfare with a clear target: nations trying to tax U.S. tech giants like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Apple.
Top Companies Most Impacted
Here are the primary companies most impacted by these digital services taxes, based on market dominance in the targeted sectors and reports on tax burdens:
• Alphabet (Google + YouTube): Heavily exposed due to dominance in online advertising and search. Often cited as one of the largest payers (e.g., a major share of France’s advertising DST).
• Meta (Facebook + Instagram): Primary target for social media and targeted advertising revenues. Frequently among the top contributors alongside Google.
• Amazon: Affected via online marketplaces and e-commerce interfaces (though less so where it sells its own inventory, which is sometimes excluded). Passes on costs via higher fees in some cases.
• Apple: Impacted through App Store/digital interface revenues and some advertising/data services.
• Microsoft: Exposed via search (Bing), cloud services, and advertising.
In his post, Trump warned that any nation adopting or maintaining digital services taxes (DSTs) would face immediate 100% tariffs on goods exported to the U.S. He emphasized that these tariffs would override existing trade agreements, regardless of whether those deals are already in effect.
President Donald J. Trump via Truth Social:
Numerous European Countries have been discussing the imminent implementation of a Digital Services Tax on American Companies. Some of these Countries are close to actually doing this. Please let this statement serve to represent that any Country that imposes such a Tax will immediately be met with a 100% TARIFF on any and all Goods sent to the United States of America. This TARIFF will supersede Trade Deals made with the Country, whether implemented, signed, or not. Additionally, the 100% TARIFF will be immediately imposed, if they proceed. Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP
The move comes directly on the heels of French President Emmanuel Macron’s refusal to scrap France’s 3% digital services tax. Macron made the statement just before meeting Trump at the G7 summit. France’s tax, in place since 2019, hits companies with global digital revenue over €750 million and French revenue exceeding €25 million.
Trump had previously singled out French wine, threatening 100% tariffs unless Paris dropped the tax.
Why This Matters: The Digital Tax Battleground
For years, European countries have complained that U.S. tech firms pay too little tax in Europe relative to the profits they generate there. Digital services taxes were designed as a workaround while the OECD tried (and largely failed) to reach a global agreement on taxing the digital economy.
From the U.S. perspective, these taxes are discriminatory — they disproportionately target American companies. Trump’s administration has long viewed them as unfair trade practices.
Potential Impacts:
• On U.S. Tech Giants: Relief from foreign taxes, but possible retaliation and higher costs if supply chains are disrupted.
• On European Exporters: Countries like France, Italy, and others with DSTs could see their exports (wine, luxury goods, cars, pharmaceuticals) become massively more expensive in the world’s largest consumer market.
• On Consumers: Higher prices for imported goods in the U.S. if tariffs are implemented.
• Global Trade: Risk of escalation into a broader transatlantic trade war, especially with existing tensions over steel, autos, and agriculture.
Trump’s Trade Philosophy in Action
This latest threat fits Trump’s consistent “America First” playbook: use tariffs as leverage to force better deals for American companies and workers. Whether you see it as protectionism or necessary reciprocity, it’s hard to argue that Trump isn’t following through on his campaign promises.
The timing — right around the G7 — is also strategic. It sends a message that the U.S. won’t tolerate what it views as backdoor taxation of its most innovative and valuable industries.
MacDailyNews Take: Markets will be watching closely. European bureaucrats are likely to huddle and consider their response. France has shown defiance so far, but the economic pain of losing access to the American market on such punishing terms is very likely to force negotiations and concessions.
The European Union arose because the Europeans couldn’t compete on their own with the rest of the world, so they each lined up to surrender their national sovereignty, unique cultures, and dignity for an undemocratic, opaque, wasteful, bloated, bureaucratic quasi-governmental blob – and, even with the EU’s thumbs all over the scale, they still can’t compete. — MacDailyNews, March 4, 2024
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post President Trump threatens 100% tariff on all goods from any countries with digital tax appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple reportedly eyeing the smart ring market as Oura’s popularity grows
In a development that’s sure to excite wearable tech fans, fresh rumors suggest Apple is once again exploring a smart ring — potentially dubbed the “iRing” — to take on leaders like the Oura Ring and Samsung Galaxy Ring.
The claim comes from leaker and prototype collector Kosutami, who posted on X today indicating that Apple has an iRing project in active development aimed directly at the growing smart ring category.
Why Now?
Apple has quietly investigated finger-worn wearables for years. The company holds multiple patents related to smart rings, including ideas for controlling VR/AR headsets and tracking biometrics. Earlier rumors in 2024 suggested Apple was seriously weighing a discreet health tracker as a less obtrusive alternative to the Apple Watch.
Those rumors had gone quiet until the massive success of the latest Oura Ring apparently rekindled interest. Oura’s fifth-generation ring, released recently, is smaller, more advanced, and packed with features like blood pressure trend detection, nighttime breathing analysis, and even support for tracking GLP-1 medications. It starts at $399 and has helped push smart rings into the mainstream.
Samsung’s Galaxy Ring has also gained traction, proving there’s real consumer appetite for sleek, always-on health trackers that don’t require daily charging like a smartwatch.What Could an Apple iRing Offer?While Kosutami provided no specific details, an Apple smart ring would likely emphasize seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem — think deep Health app syncing, advanced sleep and recovery metrics, and perhaps unique features leveraging Apple’s sensor expertise and machine learning.Potential advantages over competitors:
• No subscription model (unlike Oura’s premium features)
• Superior battery life and build quality
• Tight integration with Apple Watch for combined tracking
• Possible AR/VR control capabilities
It could appeal strongly to users who want health insights without wearing a full watch — especially those who prefer traditional timepieces or want something more discreet.
Skepticism Remains
It’s worth noting that Apple rumors have a long history of fizzling out. Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman has previously reported that Apple had no near-term plans for a smart ring, and some analysts believe the company worries a ring could cannibalize Apple Watch sales.
Still, the re-emergence of the rumor amid booming interest in Oura and similar devices suggests Apple is at least paying close attention — and possibly accelerating internal work.
MacDailyNews Take: If true, Oura’s going to be hating life. Luckily for them, it’ll be brief.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple reportedly eyeing the smart ring market as Oura’s popularity grows appeared first on MacDailyNews.