Apple News
Apple TV unveils trailer for season two of ‘Women in Blue’ (‘Las Azules’)
Apple TV on Tuesday unveiled the trailer for the highly anticipated second season of Spanish-language crime drama “Women in Blue” (“Las Azules”). Created by International Emmy Award-winning showrunner and director Fernando Rovzar (“Monarca”) and Pablo Aramendi (“Tijuana”), “Women in Blue” (“Las Azules”) season two will make its global debut on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 on Apple TV, followed by one episode weekly through September 30.
“Women in Blue” (“Las Azules”) season two will follow María (Bárbara Mori), now promoted to lieutenant, as she finds herself torn between the rules she’s sworn to uphold and a relentless pull toward the truth when the body of a student activist is discovered, and the Azules are pulled into an investigation that reaches back to the student massacre of 1968. Before they can make sense of what they’ve found, the body of a person connected to that brutal chapter of history is unearthed, sending shock waves through the department. Someone is delivering justice straight to the police’s door, and the Azules are the department’s last hope of stopping the killer. As María, Valentina (Natalia Téllez), Gabina (Amorita Rasgado) and Ángeles (Ximena Sariñana) fight battles both inside and outside the precinct, buried truths rise to the surface and they’re forced to confront an uncomfortable question: in a system plagued with corruption, what is the cost of fighting for their ideals?
In addition to Mori, Sariñana, Téllez and Rasgado, the series also stars Miguel Rodarte, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Christian Tappan, Horacio García Rojas and Bruno Bichir.
“Women in Blue” (“Las Azules”) is produced by Lemon Studios for Apple TV and is created by Rovzar and Aramendi. Rovzar, Emmy Award nominee Wendy Riss (“Yellowstone”), Alejandro Lozano (“Control Z”), Erica Sánchez Su (“Monarca”), and International Emmy Award winner Billy Rovzar (“Monarca”) serve as executive producers.
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 850 wins and 3,800 award nominations and counting including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” global cultural phenomenon “Severance,” Apple’s most-viewed drama “Pluribus,” Academy Award Best Picture winner “CODA” and Academy Award winner “F1,” the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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 unveils trailer for season two of ‘Women in Blue’ (‘Las Azules’) appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple Silicon supplier TSMC to raise chipmaking prices by up to 10% in 2027
Apple Silicon supplier TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, is planning to increase prices for both its cutting-edge and mature chip production services by up to 10% beginning in 2027, according to Nikkei Asia which cites sources familiar with the matter.
The hikes aim to offset surging costs for materials, manufacturing equipment, and the construction of new overseas fabrication plants. Negotiations with clients began around June and were finalized in July, with the new pricing scheduled to take effect at the start of 2027.
For advanced process technologies at the 7-nanometer node and below — which accounted for about 77% of TSMC’s revenue in the most recent April-June quarter — base price increases will range from 5% to 10%, depending on the customer and product. Additional high-performance computing orders exceeding original forecasts could face an extra 10-15% premium, potentially pushing total increases above 10% for some clients.
Mature-node production, including 12nm, 16nm, 28nm and legacy processes (representing roughly 23% of recent revenue), will also see increases of up to 10%, though some products will receive smaller adjustments.
Major TSMC customers include Apple, Nvidia, Google, Amazon, Qualcomm, Arm, and MediaTek. Industry executives noted that the company has taken a relatively measured approach by delaying the increases until 2027, giving clients time to adjust rather than implementing immediate hikes.
This move comes amid broader cost pressures in the semiconductor industry. Many chipmakers have raised prices this year to counter rising expenses for labor, materials, chemicals and logistics. TSMC’s own executives have highlighted the financial strain from overseas fab expansions and the ramp-up of 2-nanometer production. The company recently announced an additional $100 billion investment in Arizona and raised its 2026 capital spending plan to as much as $64 billion.
Responding to Nikkei questions, TSMC declined to comment directly on pricing, but described its strategy as “strategic, not opportunistic.”
MacDailyNews Note: During its July earnings briefing, TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei emphasized a philosophy of sustainable pricing to support long-term growth, stating that the company aims to maintain sufficient gross margins without sudden, drastic increases that could harm customers.
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 Silicon supplier TSMC to raise chipmaking prices by up to 10% in 2027 appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple purges AI ‘nudify’ apps from App Store after San Francisco demands crackdown on non-consensual deepfakes
Apple has begun removing AI-powered “nudify” apps from its App Store after San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu issued cease-and-desist letters to both Apple and Google, accusing the platforms of facilitating harmful non-consensual intimate imagery.
The letters targeted approximately 13 face-swapping and image-altering apps that use artificial intelligence to digitally remove clothing from photos, creating fake nude or explicit images without the subject’s consent. Chiu argued that the apps violate consumer-protection laws and enable the spread of deepfake pornography, often targeting women and minors.
In response, Apple in a statement reiterated its longstanding policy prohibiting apps that generate or promote explicit non-consensual content. “Nudification apps are against our App Review Guidelines and we have proactively rejected many of these apps and removed many others,” the company said. It confirmed the removal of three apps identified in the letter, the termination of their developers’ accounts, and ongoing outreach to four additional developers who must address violations or face removal.
This action follows earlier reports highlighting the persistence of such apps despite Apple’s rules. In 2024 and earlier in 2026, investigations revealed that “nudify” tools continued to appear or be advertised in the App Store, prompting criticism over enforcement gaps. Apple has since taken down batches of violating apps after external reports and user flags.
The San Francisco order gives Apple and Google 28 days to respond and fully address the issue, with potential civil penalties for non-compliance. Advocates have praised the move as a step toward curbing AI-enabled abuse, while noting that similar tools can still proliferate on the open web or through sideloaded software.
Apple’s latest enforcement underscores growing pressure on tech platforms to prevent their stores from becoming distribution channels for tools that weaponize AI against privacy and consent.
MacDailyNews Take: Users are encouraged to report suspected violating apps directly through the App Store via Apple’s “Report a Problem” page: https://reportaproblem.apple.com
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 purges AI ‘nudify’ apps from App Store after San Francisco demands crackdown on non-consensual deepfakes appeared first on MacDailyNews.
How to enable Apple’s secret Siri AI interface buried in macOS 27 beta
Apple appears to be testing a hidden popover interface for Siri AI in the macOS 27 Golden Gate beta that surfaces Writing Tools and contextual actions whenever the user selects some text, MacRumors reports.
Spotted by a member of Reddit’s r/MacOSBeta community, the floating icon appears at the top-left of the selected text, expanding when the pointer hovers over it to a compact popover of the tools and actions.
Currently, the popover offers the tools Rewrite, Proofread, “How does this sound?” and “Edit with Siri,” plus options for creating key points and summarizing text. The contextual actions are based on the content selected, including things like adding contact details, composing a message or email, creating a calendar event, showing a location in Maps, and tracking flights or packages.
The Siri popover is disabled by default in macOS 27 developer beta 3 and public beta 1. Beta testers found it can be switched on through a private feature flag, but the feature is clearly unfinished. Some of the actions don’t respond, suggesting Apple is still building out the underlying functionality.
MacDailyNews Take: Terminal commands for enabling Apple’s secret Siri AI interface in the full article 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 How to enable Apple’s secret Siri AI interface buried in macOS 27 beta appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple seeds fourth betas of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate to developers
Apple on Monday released the fourth developer betas of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate (macOS 27), continuing the rapid beta cycle following the company’s announcements at WWDC 2026. The new builds arrive exactly two weeks after the third betas, signaling steady progress toward the expected public releases this fall.
How to Download
Registered developers can obtain the updates directly on their devices:
• iOS 27 / iPadOS 27: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
• macOS Golden Gate: Go to System Settings > General > Software Update (with Beta Updates enabled and a developer account linked).
Major Features in This Cycle
Both platforms continue to emphasize Apple Intelligence and a refined user interface centered around the new Liquid Glass design language.
Siri AI takes center stage as a more capable, chatbot-style assistant. It combines general world knowledge, personal context from apps like Messages and Mail, and on-screen awareness to deliver smarter responses. A dedicated Siri app now stores conversation history, and system-wide Write with Siri helps generate or refine text. On the Mac, users can also create custom voices with personalized pace and expressivity. Visual Intelligence has been enhanced and relocated (to the Camera app on iOS and integrated into the desktop on macOS) for better contextual understanding of what’s on screen.
Design and Performance Improvements include:
• Enhanced Liquid Glass with better opacity, readability, and a new transparency slider.
• Refined window shadows, uniform toolbars, edge-to-edge sidebars, and subtler rounded corners on macOS.
• Faster app launching, quicker keyboard appearance, improved AirDrop speeds, and smoother Wi-Fi-to-cellular handoffs across iOS devices.
• Overall performance optimizations that make the system feel snappier, even on older hardware.
Apple Intelligence Expansions add new capabilities in Photos, Safari (AI tab organization), Wallet, Passwords (automatic weak password updates), Shortcuts, and the revamped Image Playground app, which now supports photorealistic image generation.
MacDailyNews Take: With beta 4 now available, Apple is expected to continue refining stability, battery life, and features in the coming weeks. A public beta is likely to follow soon, ahead of the official launch of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate in September.
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 seeds fourth betas of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate to developers appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Meta Ray-Bans are being called ‘Mark Zuckerberg’s Pervert Glasses’
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses are quickly earning a far less flattering nickname: “pervert glasses.”
A new investigation has exposed how highly personal videos captured by users — including people undressing or using the bathroom — are being sent to contractors in Kenya for AI training, often without the subjects’ knowledge. The revelations have sparked widespread outrage online, with many accusing the devices of turning everyday wearers into unwitting voyeurs and reigniting deep concerns about privacy in the age of always-on AI surveillance.
Victor Tangermann for Futurism:
Automated systems designed to blur faces often failed, the contractors claimed, effectively giving them a front row seat of somebody’s most intimate moments.
“I don’t think they know, because if they knew they wouldn’t be recording,” one contractor said.
Many have quickly embraced a term for the devices that’s presumably sending Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg into paroxysms of fury: “pervert glasses.”
“Glad people are settling on the term ‘pervert glasses,’” another agreed. “Bonus points if you also say it while posting a picture of Mark Zuckerberg or call them Mark Zuckerberg’s pervert glasses.”
“Not a fan of Mark Zuckerberg’s pervert glasses,” wrote yet another. “I would prefer technology to make it more difficult to skeez, creep or perv on the world. I would like tech to protect me from creeps, not smooth the runway for them.”
The threat of simple smart glasses being used for surveillance isn’t some dystopian vision of a far future. Researchers have already shown that Meta’s smart glasses can be used to instantly reveal the identities of strangers in public — tech that Meta has reportedly been working on itself.
All told, smart glasses are a product category rife with uncomfortable connotations, especially when worn in the presence of others who may not know they may be recorded.
MacDailyNews Take: Unless their goal was to trash their reputation as quickly as possible, we bet Ray-Ban is rethinking its poor decision to tie up with an outfit like Meta.
Meta is to privacy as Chernobyl is to nuclear power. – MacDailyNews, December 19, 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 Meta Ray-Bans are being called ‘Mark Zuckerberg’s Pervert Glasses’ appeared first on MacDailyNews.
BofA bullish on Apple: Expects earnings beat on July 30 and reiterates $380 price target
Bank of America expects Apple to surpass Wall Street expectations when it reports fiscal third-quarter results on July 30, marking Tim Cook’s final earnings call as CEO.
In a note released Monday, BofA analyst Wamsi Mohan maintained a Buy rating on the stock and a $380 price target. The firm is modeling revenue of $109 billion and earnings per share (EPS) of $1.89, comfortably ahead of consensus estimates of $108 billion in revenue and $1.87 in EPS. That would represent approximately 16% year-over-year revenue growth, exceeding Apple’s own guidance range of 14-17%.
Investor attention heading into the report is likely to focus on three key areas: component cost inflation, the durability of gross margins, and the implications of Cook’s departure from the CEO role.
BofA noted that product gross margins are expected to decline sequentially in both the June and September quarters due to the staggered launch schedule of the next iPhone lineup. Pro, Pro Max, and Fold models are slated for September, while the base model and Air are not expected until March. The firm views the near-term margin pressure as “transitory,” forecasting a rebound to 38.5% in the December quarter as the new devices launch at higher prices.
On the services side, BofA projects 14% year-over-year growth in the third quarter. While App Store revenue growth has slowed to 3.2% from 9.8% in the previous quarter, the firm anticipates strength in iCloud and Licensing to more than offset the slowdown.
MacDailyNews Note: Looking further ahead, the bank adopted a more cautious stance for the second half of calendar 2026. It modeled fourth-quarter revenue at $106 billion and EPS at $1.88, below Street forecasts of $114 billion and $2.01, citing potential volatility from the new split iPhone launch cadence.
Despite the tempered longer-term outlook, BofA’s overall message remains positive, reinforcing confidence in Apple’s ability to deliver a solid beat in the upcoming report.
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 BofA bullish on Apple: Expects earnings beat on July 30 and reiterates $380 price target appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple Sports app expands soccer coverage with new European and Asian leagues
Apple has rolled out a timely update to its free Apple Sports app, adding support for seven additional soccer leagues from across Europe and Asia. The refresh comes just one day after the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Argentina defeated Spain in the final.
Version 4.2 of the iPhone-only app now includes the following leagues:
• Belgian Pro League (Belgium)
• Superliga (Denmark)
• Eredivisie (Netherlands)
• J1 League (Japan)
• Ekstraklasa (Poland)
• Scottish Premiership (Scotland)
• Swiss Super League (Switzerland)
In addition to the new league support, users can now view team formations for matches across most soccer leagues in the app. This feature provides a clearer look at starting lineups and tactical setups, enhancing the experience for fans who want deeper insights into games.
The Apple Sports app, first launched in 2024, has steadily broadened its soccer offerings in recent months. Earlier updates added content tied to the 2026 World Cup, including team groupings and national team tracking with real-time scores, stats, and Live Activities. The app already covers dozens of top leagues and tournaments across multiple regions.This latest expansion continues Apple’s push to make the app a comprehensive hub for sports scores, standings, and match details without requiring a subscription. It remains exclusive to iPhone and is rolling out now to users worldwide.
MacDailyNews Take: Fans have already begun commenting on the update via Apple’s App Store and social media, with some requesting further additions like U.S. lower-division leagues. As soccer’s global popularity continues to grow, especially in the wake of a record 48-team World Cup, Apple appears committed to keeping the app competitive with dedicated sports platforms. The update is available immediately via the App Store 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 Apple Sports app expands soccer coverage with new European and Asian leagues appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple’s OpenAI lawsuit sidesteps Jony Ive: The personal and practical reasons behind the omission
Apple has filed a sweeping lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the AI company of trade-secret theft, systematic poaching of talent, and efforts to build hardware that could rival the iPhone. Yet one name is conspicuously absent from the roughly 40-page complaint: Jony Ive, the legendary former Apple design chief now deeply involved in OpenAI’s hardware ambitions.
Ive, widely regarded as Steve Jobs’ “spiritual partner,” left Apple in 2019 and has since played a pivotal role at OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, the AI for newbies who don’t know better alternatives exist. Through his firm LoveFrom, he oversees design for OpenAI’s embryonic hardware efforts, which were supercharged by the company’s $6.5 billion acquisition of io Products, a startup co-founded by Ive. Many members of the renowned design team he built at Apple followed him, and more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI.
Why the Omission of Ive?
According to reporting by Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman, several factors explain why Apple chose not to name Ive directly:
• Lack of Direct Evidence of Misconduct: While the lawsuit targets specific tactics — such as coaching recruits to bypass security or bringing Apple hardware to interviews for “show-and-tell” sessions — Ive is not deeply involved in day-to-day recruiting, engineering, or operations. Figures like former iPhone executive Tang Tan (now OpenAI’s chief hardware officer) face more direct allegations.
• Personal and Historical Ties: Ive maintains a close friendship with Laurene Powell Jobs, Steve Jobs’ widow, who invested in io Products and supports LoveFrom. Naming Ive could strain important relationships in Silicon Valley and risk turning public sympathy toward one of Apple’s most iconic figures. Ive even spoke at Jobs’ memorial service.
• Optics and Legacy: Ive remains synonymous with Apple’s greatest hits. Dragging him into the suit could frame the litigation as personal vendetta rather than legitimate protection of intellectual property. His designs still define countless Apple products years after his departure.
Ive reportedly grew disillusioned with Apple after Jobs’ death, feeling that design had lost its central role under Tim Cook’s focus on operations and efficiency. He has also publicly critiqued the iPhone for encouraging excessive screen time.
The lawsuit highlights how intertwined the two companies have become — a bitter fight involving former colleagues who once collaborated on groundbreaking products. Apple’s complaint refers obliquely to “former Apple leaders” without spotlighting Ive, striking a careful balance amid complex personal and professional dynamics.
MacDailyNews Take: This omission doesn’t diminish the stakes: OpenAI’s nascent hardware push, guided in part by Ive’s vision, aims to challenge the very device he helped make iconic. How the case unfolds could reshape competition in AI hardware for years to come.
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 OpenAI lawsuit sidesteps Jony Ive: The personal and practical reasons behind the omission appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple raises Apple Music and Apple One subscription prices
Apple has increased the monthly subscription prices for its Apple Music streaming service in the United States and other markets, marking the first hike in nearly four years. The changes took effect today.
New Apple Music pricing:
• Individual plan: $11.99 per month (up from $10.99)
• Family plan: $19.99 per month (up from $16.99)
• Student plan: $6.99 per month (up from $5.99)
Select Apple One bundles have also seen increases:
• Family plan: $27.95 per month (up from $25.95)
• Premier plan: $39.95 per month (up from $37.95)
The Apple One Individual plan remains unchanged at $19.95 per month.
In a statement to Music Business Worldwide, Apple explained the move: “As a result of rising licensing costs, Apple Music is increasing its subscription price beginning today.”
This increase follows Spotify’s earlier 2026 price adjustment in the U.S., which Apple had publicly highlighted. Despite the hikes, Apple Music’s new Individual rate of $11.99 remains lower than Spotify Premium’s current $12.99.
The last Apple Music price rise occurred in October 2022, when the Individual plan moved from $9.99 to $10.99. Apple has periodically adjusted prices for other services like Apple TV and components within Apple One bundles since then.
MacDailyNews Take: The timing aligns with broader industry trends of streaming services adjusting prices amid rising content and licensing expenses. Existing subscribers will see the changes on their next billing cycle.
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 raises Apple Music and Apple One subscription prices appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple TV debuts trailer for ‘The Dynasty: UConn Huskies’ women’s basketball documentary
Apple TV on Friday unveiled the trailer for “The Dynasty: UConn Huskies,” which chronicles the 40-year run of the renowned University of Connecticut (UConn) women’s basketball program under Hall of Fame head coach Geno Auriemma. Directed and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Matthew Hamachek and Emmy Award nominee Erica Sashin, the highly anticipated three-part docuseries from Skydance Sports premieres globally on Apple TV on Friday, August 21, 2026.
“The Dynasty: UConn Huskies” is a sweeping three-part documentary event chronicling the rise of the most dominant program in college basketball history. Featuring exclusive interviews with the 2025 National Championship team and legendary voices spanning generations of UConn basketball, the series explores the pursuit of excellence, the expectations that accompany sustained success, and the people who upheld that standard across generations. Through never-before-seen archival footage and intimate access, the series digs into the obsession, pressure, sacrifices and ruthless culture that transformed a basketball program into an unrivaled phenomenon.
The series reflects on the legacy that built the program and offers a rare, inside look at the players carrying it forward through in-depth conversations with coaches, athletes, alumni, rivals and journalists across generations of UConn basketball, including KK Arnold, Auriemma, Sue Bird, Paige Bueckers, Jim Calhoun, Swin Cash, Chris Dailey, Mickie DeMoss, Jana El Alfy, Jamelle Elliott, Azzi Fudd, Jeff Goldberg, Sally Jenkins, Steve Kerr, Rebecca Lobo, Jackie MacMullan, Maya Moore, Alexa Philippou, Shea Ralph, Semeka Randall, Jennifer Rizzotti, Breanna Stewart, Sarah Strong, Diana Taurasi, and Tamika Williams-Jeter.
“The Dynasty: UConn Huskies” is a Skydance Sports production, with Learfield Studios and Revue Studios executive producing. Executive producers are Jesse Sisgold, Jason T. Reed, Jon Weinbach, Lauren Gaffney, Sashin, Hamachek, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, Grant Jones, Jon Liebman, and Zoe Rogovin.
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 850 wins and 3,752 award nominations and counting including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” global cultural phenomenon “Severance,” Apple’s most-viewed drama “Pluribus,” Academy Award Best Picture winner “CODA” and Academy Award winner “F1,” the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.
:
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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 debuts trailer for ‘The Dynasty: UConn Huskies’ women’s basketball documentary appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s crime thriller ‘Lucky’ rockets to No. 1 on Apple TV in record time
Just one day after its global premiere on July 15, 2026, Anya Taylor-Joy’s high-stakes limited series “Lucky” has stormed to the top of Apple TV’s streaming charts in the United States, dethroning established hits like “Silo” and claiming the platform’s overall top spot.
The seven-episode crime thriller, which dropped its first two episodes on premiere day with weekly releases to follow, has generated massive buzz thanks to Taylor-Joy’s magnetic lead performance and a stacked ensemble cast. Early viewership data from FlixPatrol confirms the explosive debut, signaling strong audience appetite for glossy, twist-filled thrillers this summer.
A High-Octane Return to the Small Screen
In Lucky, Taylor-Joy stars as Luciana “Lucky” Armstrong, a reformed con artist whose carefully rebuilt life unravels after a multimillion-dollar heist goes disastrously wrong. Forced back into the criminal underworld she escaped years earlier, she finds herself pursued by both the FBI and a ruthless mob boss (played with icy menace by Annette Bening). The series blends pulse-pounding chases, family betrayals, and moral dilemmas, all set against glamorous backdrops like Las Vegas penthouses and sun-baked desert highways.
Taylor-Joy, who also executive produces through her Ladykiller banner alongside Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, delivers a layered, physically demanding turn that echoes the breakout intensity of “The Queen’s Gambit” while showcasing the action prowess she honed in films like Furiosa. Supporting players Timothy Olyphant (as Lucky’s complicated father), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (as a determined FBI agent), Drew Starkey, Clifton Collins Jr., and William Fichtner round out a cast that critics are already praising for elevating the material.
Created by Jonathan Tropper and co-showrun with Cassie Pappas, “Lucky” adapts Marissa Stapley’s bestselling 2021 novel (a Reese’s Book Club pick). The production shot in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, wrapping principal photography in 2025 before arriving with sleek marketing and an adrenalized trailer that teased its mix of glamour, deception, and survival.
Why the Instant Success?
Apple TV has seen sustained hits from Taylor-Joy before — her 2025 sci-fi thriller “The Gorge” lingered on charts for hundreds of days — but “Lucky” marks her triumphant return to limited series television. The timing couldn’t be better: summer viewing habits favor bingeable, escapist fare, and the show’s weekly episode drops build anticipation without overwhelming audiences.
Early reviews highlight Taylor-Joy’s star power and the series’ slick production values, even as some note familiar genre tropes. Its rapid climb to #1 underscores Apple’s strategy of leveraging A-list talent and book adaptations to drive subscriptions.
With new episodes dropping every Wednesday through August 19th, Lucky is poised to maintain momentum. Whether it sustains its chart dominance like Apple’s other long-runners remains to be seen, but its opening salvo has already proven one thing: audiences are feeling very lucky indeed.
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 Anya Taylor-Joy’s crime thriller ‘Lucky’ rockets to No. 1 on Apple TV in record time appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple reclaims title as World’s Most Valuable Company
Apple has once again become the world’s most valuable publicly traded company, surpassing Nvidia in a notable shift that reflects evolving investor priorities in the artificial intelligence era.
With a market capitalization of approximately $4.88 trillion, Apple edged past Nvidia, which stood at roughly $4.86 trillion following a 3.5% decline in its shares. This marks the first time Apple has reclaimed the top spot since April 2025, highlighting a broader rotation away from pure AI infrastructure plays toward companies with proven ecosystems and more durable revenue streams.
The move underscores growing confidence in Apple’s strategy. While the company was once viewed as lagging in the generative AI race due to more modest spending on foundational models, investors are now rewarding its focus on practical integration, services growth, and hardware upgrades. Apple’s upgraded Siri assistant, rolled out last month, aims to leverage the vast personal data within its privacy-focused iOS ecosystem to deliver more intelligent and personalized experiences.
“Apple is less exposed to the capital expenditure intensity plaguing some AI leaders and is better positioned to monetize AI through its services, ecosystem lock-in, and recurring hardware cycles,” analysts told Reuters. This re-rating emphasizes earnings stability over speculative upside.
The development arrives as CEO Tim Cook prepares to transition leadership to hardware expert John Ternus in September. It could frame Cook’s tenure positively, showcasing Apple’s ability to adapt and maintain dominance even as the tech landscape shifts.
Nvidia, which briefly became the first company to exceed $5 trillion in valuation last October, remains a powerhouse. Its GPUs continue to fuel the majority of the AI boom. However, today’s reversal signals that market leadership is fluid, with investors broadening their focus beyond chipmakers amid concerns over high AI spending levels.
Apple is not without challenges. Recent price hikes on products to counter rising costs could impact demand in price-sensitive markets. Still, its resilient Services segment and loyal user base provide a strong buffer.
What This Means Moving Forward
• For Investors: The race between Apple and Nvidia highlights the importance of diversified AI exposure — infrastructure (Nvidia) versus application and consumer integration (Apple).
• Market Implications: Expect continued volatility as sentiment swings between AI capex winners and consumer tech giants.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s return to the summit reaffirms its enduring strength in consumer technology. While Nvidia could reclaim the lead quickly if AI enthusiasm reignites, today’s milestone celebrates a company that has repeatedly proven its ability to innovate and lead through cycles. In the AI-driven future, Apple’s blend of hardware, software, and services may prove to be the most valuable combination of all.
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 reclaims title as World’s Most Valuable Company appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple sends legal preservation letters to dozens of former employees now at OpenAI
Apple has intensified its high-stakes legal fight against OpenAI by sending formal preservation letters to approximately 40 former employees who now work at the AI company, according to reports from the Financial Times and corroborated by tech outlets.
The move comes just one week after Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI (and its hardware-focused entity, io Products), along with two named former Apple executives: Tang Tan (OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer) and Chang Liu (a senior hardware team member). In the complaint, Apple accuses OpenAI of orchestrating a coordinated effort to poach talent and misappropriate confidential information related to hardware engineering, product development, manufacturing processes, and other proprietary designs.
Preservation Letters: What They Mean
These letters are not lawsuits themselves, but formal legal notices requiring recipients to preserve all potentially relevant documents, communications, emails, files, and other evidence. They serve as an early step in litigation to prevent the destruction or alteration of materials that could be critical to the case. Apple appears to believe the alleged misconduct extends beyond the individuals explicitly named in the original filing, viewing the evidence uncovered so far as potentially just the “tip of the iceberg.”
Apple’s lawsuit highlights that more than 400 former Apple employees have joined OpenAI. While hiring talent from competitors is common in Silicon Valley (especially in California, where non-compete agreements are limited), Apple alleges specific breaches involving the theft of trade secrets, violation of employment contracts, and improper use of proprietary information to accelerate OpenAI’s hardware ambitions, particularly its reported AI device development.
Background on the Dispute
• Key Defendants: OpenAI, io Products, Tang Tan (24-year Apple veteran who led product design), and Chang Liu (former senior system electrical engineer).
• Apple’s Demands: An injunction to stop OpenAI from using any Apple-derived information, plus monetary damages.
• OpenAI’s Response: The company has denied the allegations, stating it is “not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit.”
The escalation underscores growing tensions between the two tech giants. Apple, a leader in consumer hardware, is protective of its tightly controlled supply chain and engineering secrets, while OpenAI is pushing aggressively into hardware to leverage its chatbot.
This development is likely to fuel further scrutiny of talent poaching in the AI sector, where companies compete fiercely for top engineers. Legal experts note that preservation letters are standard in complex intellectual property cases and signal Apple’s intention to build a broader case through discovery.
As the lawsuit progresses, both sides will be watching closely, especially as OpenAI continues its hardware timeline reportedly unchanged despite the legal pressure. The case could set important precedents regarding employee mobility, trade secret protection, and the blurry lines between accumulated expertise and stolen proprietary information in the fast-moving tech industry.
MacDailyNews Take: OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, the AI for newbies who don’t know better alternatives exist, seems to be filled with traitors.
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 sends legal preservation letters to dozens of former employees now at OpenAI appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple closes unlocked iPhone loophole for T-Mobile and Verizon financing buyers
Apple has quietly shut down a popular workaround that let customers finance new iPhones through T-Mobile or Verizon while still receiving fully unlocked devices.
For years, savvy buyers exploited a quirk in Apple’s sales process. They could stack generous carrier promotions — like massive trade-in credits or bill credits — on installment financing through Apple’s website or stores, and walk away with an iPhone that was carrier-unlocked from day one. This allowed them to use the phone on any network, switch carriers mid-contract, insert international eSIMs while traveling, or even resell the device at a premium before paying it off.
That loophole is now closed for T-Mobile and Verizon customers. Starting recently, any iPhone financed through these carriers’ installment plans will remain locked to the carrier until the balance is paid in full. This brings T-Mobile and Verizon in line with AT&T’s long-standing policy.
How the Loophole Worked
Carriers frequently offer deep discounts to attract customers, such as $1,100 off select iPhone models. Previously:
• AT&T-financed phones bought via Apple were locked.
• T-Mobile and Verizon versions were delivered unlocked, even when financed through their respective Equipment Installment Plans or Device Payment Programs.
Buyers took full advantage by financing through Apple’s site, claiming the carrier promo, and ending up with a flexible, unlocked flagship phone. Some used it to jump ship to cheaper MVNOs, while others flipped the devices for profit.
Apple made the change without fanfare or press release. It was first spotted by users on Reddit’s r/tmobile subreddit and confirmed via an updated FAQ on Apple’s iPhone purchase pages. The new language states clearly:
“If you choose to finance an iPhone through the AT&T Installment Plan, T-Mobile Equipment Installment Plan, or Verizon Device Payment Program, your iPhone will be locked to the carrier until paid in full.”
Why Apple Made the Change
Apple has offered no official explanation. However, the timing suggests it was responding to abuse of the system—particularly resale of subsidized but unlocked phones. The change also likely pleases carriers, who want to ensure customers remain committed during promotional periods and installment terms.
Note for current buyers: There may be a temporary mismatch. Some checkout flows still indicate T-Mobile and Verizon phones as unlocked. Always double-check the fine print before completing a purchase.
Workarounds That Still Work
The policy shift only affects carrier-financed devices. You can still get an unlocked iPhone immediately by:
• Buying it outright (no financing).
• Financing through Apple Card Monthly Installments — these remain unlocked from activation.
• Purchasing directly from third-party retailers or carriers with full upfront payment.
Once a carrier-financed phone is paid off, it will unlock automatically per standard carrier policy.
MacDailyNews Take: This update reflects Apple’s ongoing efforts to balance customer flexibility with carrier partnerships in a competitive wireless market. If you’re planning an upgrade soon, review your financing options carefully to avoid surprises.
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 Apple closes unlocked iPhone loophole for T-Mobile and Verizon financing buyers appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple has released an update to XProtect for macOS
Apple has released a new update to XProtect, its built-in malware protection tool, for all macOS versions.
This update bumps XProtect to version 5351 (from 5347) — the first broad release since early June — and adds fresh detection rules for several threats, including the Boatload stealer family and new osascript-based malware.
As usual, Apple provides no public details on the specific threats addressed. All users should check that the update has installed.
This version adds six new Yara rules for MACOS.ANGRYORB.OX, MACOS.BOATLOAD.STCRST, MACOS.BOATLOAD.PRIN, MACOS.BOATLOAD.PEME, MACOS.VSHELL.DITA and MACOS.VSHELL.DR, amends rules for MACOS.MISOMAGIC.PA, and tidies spacing for those for MACOS.SOMA.STTX. From the rules for Boatload, that would appear to be a stealer.
Osascript rules in XPScripts.yr gain no less than 14 new rules, and amend those for MACOS.OSASCRIPT.TIPA, MACOS.OSASCRIPT.SYPR, MACOS.OSASCRIPT.TADE and MACOS.OSASCRIPT.REOB.
You can check whether this update has been installed by opening System Information via About This Mac, and selecting the Installations item under Software.
MacDailyNews Note: More info via the full article 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 Apple has released an update to XProtect for macOS appeared first on MacDailyNews.
OLED iPad mini rumored for fall 2026: Apple’s compact tablet finally gets a premium refresh
Apple is preparing a meaningful comeback for its smallest iPad. Fresh reports indicate the next iPad mini will swap its current Liquid Retina LCD for a modern OLED display, delivering the biggest visual and quality leap since the 2021 redesign.
Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman suggests the OLED upgrade could land as soon as October.
Expected Upgrades
• Display: 8.4-inch OLED panel with superior contrast, inky blacks, and richer colors compared to the existing model. It will stick to a standard 60Hz refresh rate (not ProMotion) and moderate brightness to help control costs.
• Performance: Likely powered by an A18 Pro chip for snappy everyday use.
• Form Factor: Same beloved ultra-portable design that fits in bags, backpacks, or even larger pockets.
Pricing and Positioning
Expect a noticeable price bump. The current iPad mini already costs around $600 after recent increases, and OLED technology will likely push the new model above $700. At that point it will compete more directly with the iPad Air and even premium iPhones, so Apple will need to emphasize its unique compact appeal for note-taking, reading, travel, and secondary-screen duties.
Launch Timeline
The OLED iPad mini is targeted for a fall 2026 release (likely following the September iPhone event), ahead of more modest refreshes to the base iPad and iPad Air next year.
MacDailyNews Take: iPad mini has felt stagnant for years despite its loyal fans who prize its one-handed usability. This OLED refresh signals Apple is serious about revitalizing the lineup and giving the small tablet a modern edge that matches the rest of its portfolio.
It’s an exciting prospect for anyone who wants premium screen quality without stepping up to a larger, heavier iPad. The higher price may give some pause, but the combination of portability and upgraded visuals could make this the most compelling mini in years.
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 OLED iPad mini rumored for fall 2026: Apple’s compact tablet finally gets a premium refresh appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple TV’s beloved kids series ‘Stillwater’ set to premiere all-new fifth season August 21st
Apple TV on Thursday announced an all-new season five of the beloved, award-winning animated kids and family series “Stillwater,” premiering with five episodes on Friday, August 21, 2026. Based on the bestselling Scholastic “Zen” book series by Jon J Muth, “Stillwater” follows a wise panda who teaches three young siblings about the world and each other. The series centers on siblings Karl (Judah Mackey), Addy (Eva Ariel Binder) and Michael (Tucker Chandler), who encounter everyday challenges — big and small — which sometimes feel insurmountable. Fortunately for these three, they have Stillwater (James Sie), a wise panda, as their next-door neighbor. Through his example, stories and gentle humor, Stillwater teaches the children the concept of mindfulness, while offering them a deeper understanding of their feelings as well as tools that help them face their own day-to-day challenges. “Stillwater” is produced for Apple TV by Gaumont and Scholastic Entertainment.
Take a deep breath and embrace your inner peace by embarking on a fun adventure with the first four seasons of “Stillwater” available on Apple TV. Through breathing exercises, mindful moments and simple everyday practices, this uplifting, Peabody and Daytime Emmy Award-winning series invites you and your family to discover your own zen through each episode. “Stillwater” was produced through Apple TV’s changemakers initiative in collaboration with awareness and intention expert Mallika Chopra, author of “Buddha and the Rose” and the “Just Be” series for kids.
Apple TV has announced season five of the award-winning animated kids and family series “Stillwater,” premiering with five new episodes on August 21, 2026.
Gaumont and Scholastic Entertainment produce, with Sidonie Dumas, Nicolas Atlan, Terry Kalagian, Iole Lucchese, Caitlin Friedman, Jef Kaminsky, Jun Falkenstein and Rob Hoegee serving as executive producers. In addition, the series features the voice talents of Sie, Binder, Chandler and Mackey.
The exciting slate of recent offerings for kids and families on Apple TV also features “My Brother the Minotaur,” from Academy Award-nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon and award-winning children’s media company Dog Ears; “Wonder Pets: In the City,” from Emmy Award winner Jennifer Oxley and produced by Nickelodeon Animation; animated adventure trilogy “WondLa,” based on the New York Times bestselling book series “The Search for WondLa” by Tony DiTerlizzi; highly anticipated kids and family series “Yo Gabba GabbaLand!” inspired by the hit, Emmy Award-nominated cultural phenomenon “Yo Gabba Gabba!”; season two of Emmy Award-winning “Shape Island,” based on the internationally bestselling picture books from Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen; animated fantasy adventure series “The Sisters Grimm,” based on Michael Buckley’s New York Times bestselling book series; the music-driven animated comedy series “BE@RBRICK” from DreamWorks Animation; “Goldie,” inspired by Emily Brundige’s award-winning 2019 short film of the same name, and many more.
Award-winning all-ages offerings now streaming globally on Apple TV also include the BAFTA Award and Emmy Award-winning live-action animated hybrid special “The Velveteen Rabbit,” BAFTA Award and Humanitas Prize-winning “El Deafo,” BAFTA Award-winning “Lovely Little Farm,” “Duck & Goose,” “Get Rolling With Otis,” Spin Master Entertainment’s “Sago Mini Friends,” Emmy Award-winning “Frog and Toad,” based on the Caldecott and Newbery Honor-winning books, Annie Award-nominated “Not a Box,” GLAAD Media Award-nominated “Pinecone & Pony,” The Jim Henson Company’s Emmy Award-winning “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock,” “Harriet the Spy” and “Slumberkins,” Sesame Workshop’s “Helpsters,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt, HITRECORD and Bento Box Entertainment’s “Wolfboy and the Everything Factory,” Jack McBrayer and Angela C. Santomero’s and Emmy Award-nominated “Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show.” Live-action offerings include “Me,” an elevated cinematic coming-of-age story from Barry L. Levy, Bonnie Hunt’s DGA Award and WGA Award-nominated “Amber Brown,” DGA Award-winning “Best Foot Forward,” “Surfside Girls,” WGA Award-winning “Life By Ella,” Sesame Workshop and Sinking Ship’s Emmy Award-winning “Ghostwriter,” Emmy Award and Environmental Media Association Award-winning “Jane,” and Scholastic’s “Puppy Place.” “Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth,” the Emmy Award-winning television event based on the New York Times bestselling book and TIME Best Book of the Year by Oliver Jeffers, is also featured.
Apple TV offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all of a user’s favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 850 wins and 3,737 award nominations and counting including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” global cultural phenomenon “Severance,” Apple’s most-viewed drama “Pluribus,” Academy Award Best Picture winner “CODA” and Academy Award winner “F1,” the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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’s beloved kids series ‘Stillwater’ set to premiere all-new fifth season August 21st appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Trump admin secures record $265 billion TSMC investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, adding 4 new facilities for total of 12
In a major boost to American domestic manufacturing, the Trump Administration today announced that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is committing an additional $100 billion in investments for advanced semiconductor facilities in the United States. This brings TSMC’s total planned investment to $265 billion — one of the largest foreign direct investments in American history.
The announcement, made jointly by the White House and the Department of Commerce, highlights the success of strategic trade and investment partnerships, particularly the historic U.S.-Taiwan deal signed in January 2026. As a direct result, TSMC will build four additional advanced semiconductor manufacturing and packaging facilities, bringing its U.S. footprint to 12 leading-edge facilities, primarily in Arizona.
Building on Momentum
This latest expansion builds on previous commitments. TSMC’s original plans started at around $65 billion, which were later increased. The new infusion underscores sustained momentum under the current administration’s focus on reshoring critical supply chains.
In a statement, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized the job-creating impact, “President Trump’s leadership is driving companies to invest in American manufacturing. TSMC’s announcement of an additional $100 billion investment following our historic deal on trade and investment with Taiwan will create tens of thousands of American jobs and bring advanced semiconductor manufacturing back to America.”
TSMC Chairman and CEO Dr. C.C. Wei echoed the sentiment, crediting collaboration with the administration and strong U.S. customer demand, “We appreciate the strong collaboration and support of the Trump Administration, Secretary Lutnick and our leading U.S. customers… This is to support the strong multi-year demand from our leading U.S. customers, and we believe this investment will further foster the development of the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem, strengthen the supply chain, and support significant job creation in the United States.”
Economic and Strategic Impact
The investments are expected to generate significant construction and high-tech jobs, along with billions in indirect economic output. Beyond direct facilities, the broader U.S.-Taiwan trade and investment framework is catalyzing an additional $500 billion in Taiwanese investments — $250 billion in direct semiconductor and related enterprises, plus another $250 billion to strengthen the full supply chain in the U.S.
This move addresses long-standing concerns about reliance on overseas production for advanced chips, especially those critical for AI, defense, automotive, and consumer electronics. By expanding domestic capacity with a world-leading foundry like TSMC, the U.S. strengthens its position in the global semiconductor race while creating high-paying opportunities for American workers.
The Trump Administration’s approach, which combines diplomatic deals, incentives for onshoring, and a focus on national security, continues to yield concrete results in rebuilding America’s industrial base.
MacDailyNews Take: With 12 state-of-the-art facilities on track, America is poised to capture a much larger share of advanced chip production. This not only bolsters economic competitiveness, but also enhances supply chain resilience against geopolitical risks.
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 Trump admin secures record $265 billion TSMC investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, adding 4 new facilities for total of 12 appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple ramps up vapor chamber orders for foldable iPhone Ultra and Twentieth Anniversary iPhone
Apple has significantly boosted its orders for vapor chamber cooling systems, primarily to support production of its highly anticipated first foldable iPhone, according to a Chinese supply chain leaker. The move also points to advanced thermal management in the company’s upcoming Twentieth Anniversary iPhone slated for 2027.
The information comes from the Weibo account “Fixed Focus Digital,” a source that has previously shared details about Apple’s foldable device. The increased orders will first go toward manufacturing the book-style foldable iPhone, internally referred to as the “iPhone Ultra,” which is on track for a September 2026 debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.
Apple has reportedly instructed suppliers to prepare around 10 million units of the foldable iPhone for 2026, an increase from earlier projections of 7–8 million. This ramp-up signals strong confidence in the device’s production readiness despite the complexities of its folding mechanism.
Advanced Cooling for a Challenging Form Factor
Fixed Focus Digital previously indicated that the foldable iPhone would feature “impressive” vapor chamber cooling, with Apple “going all out” on its thermal design. This makes sense given the device’s expected thin profile when unfolded (rumored around 4.5–5mm) and the space constraints of a foldable chassis, which could limit traditional heat dissipation options.
Apple first introduced vapor chamber technology in the iPhone 17 Pro models last year. The system uses a small amount of deionized water to efficiently transfer heat away from the powerful A-series chip and spread it across the device’s aluminum frame, helping sustain high performance without thermal throttling.
The same cooling approach is now expected to extend to the foldable iPhone Ultra and potentially the 2027 anniversary iPhones, which are rumored to feature dramatic edge-to-edge displays with glass curving around all four sides for a nearly borderless look.
Broader Context and Timeline
The foldable iPhone is expected to include a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch cover screen, an A20 chip, and a Touch ID power button, with pricing likely starting near $2,000. Recent reports confirm that mass production is underway, with key components like OLED panels already in production at Samsung Display.
Meanwhile, Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhones are planned for two sizes similar to the iPhone 18 Pro models. These devices could mark a major redesign, potentially returning to an all-glass enclosure.
MacDailyNews Take: This latest leak aligns with Apple’s aggressive push into new form factors while maintaining the performance and reliability standards users expect from its flagship devices. As the September launch approaches, more details on the iPhone Ultra’s final specifications are likely to emerge from the supply chain.
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 ramps up vapor chamber orders for foldable iPhone Ultra and Twentieth Anniversary iPhone appeared first on MacDailyNews.