Apple News
xAI’s $20 billion mega-raise: Nvidia chips fuel Elon Musk’s AI Colossus expansion
Elon Musk’s xAI is set to secure a $20 billion funding round, surpassing initial plans, with investments from Nvidia and other backers. The financing, a mix of equity and debt, will fund a special purpose vehicle to acquire Nvidia processors for xAI’s Colossus 2 project. Nvidia’s contribution includes up to $2 billion in equity, boosting its clients’ AI development efforts.
Carmen Arroyo and Edward Ludlow for Bloomberg News:
xAI’s fundraising effort, previously reported by Bloomberg at half the amount, may continue to grow.
xAI’s financing would be split between about $7.5 billion of equity and as much as $12.5 billion of debt in the SPV, the people said. The vehicle will be used to buy Nvidia processors, and Musk’s artificial intelligence startup would then rent the chips out for five years, allowing Wall Street financiers to recoup their investment. The unique deal structure, backed by the GPUs as opposed to the company, could provide a playbook for tech firms looking to decrease debt exposure.
Nvidia’s leaders have said they will use the company’s growing financial strength to speed up the deployment of artificial intelligence across the industry. In September, Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress told the audience at a Goldman Sachs conference that Nvidia will repurchase stock and do strategic acquisitions where possible, but the priority is on using cash to help other companies use AI more quickly.
Musk has also tapped his empire of companies, including SpaceX, for investment into xAI. Later this year, Tesla Inc. investors will vote on whether the electric carmaker should invest in xAI as well.
Musk has framed AI as the foundation for many of his futuristic products, including self-driving cars and fully autonomous robots.
MacDailyNews Take: xAI’s Grok, already impressive, is poised to improve even further.
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Apple close to inking deal for Formula 1 rights in America
Apple is on the verge of securing a groundbreaking deal to acquire Formula 1 broadcasting rights in the United States, potentially reshaping how American fans experience the sport.
John Ourand for Puck’s “The Varsity”:
Apple’s F1 deal has been in the works since the summer, and I’m hearing the two companies are hoping to make a formal announcement about the deal in two weeks, during the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin. The number I keep hearing is $140 million per year for U.S. rights, a significant bump from the $90 million per year that ESPN currently pays.
The main holdup had been a dispute around Formula 1’s streaming service. Apple stuck to its original position that the racing circuit needed to shut down F1 TV in the U.S., and was reluctant to dole out $140 million on rights fees just to have the races carried on another streaming service. Because F1 TV is profitable in the U.S. market, Formula 1 has been hesitant to pull the plug. It’s not entirely clear where the two sides netted out on this, but it’s an area to watch when the deal finally gets announced.
Meanwhile, this will be Apple’s most significant sports rights deal since it signed a 10-year, $2.5 billion deal with the MLS three years ago.
MacDailyNews Take: Live sports is where it’s at for added streaming service differentiation. This deal will also be nice U.S. support for the “F1: The Movie” sequel(s).
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Gordon Ramsay’s ‘Knife Edge’ on Apple TV+ spotlights culinary world’s chase for Michelin glory
Apple TV+’s new documentary series “Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars,” executive produced by Gordon Ramsay and Studio Ramsay Global, premieres globally on Friday, October 10th. The eight-part series, hosted by Jesse Burgess, food expert and co-founder of the global food and travel platform Topjaw, takes viewers inside the emotionally charged, high-stakes world of fine dining — capturing the pressure and ambition that define the road to Michelin recognition.
Marie-louise Gumuchian for Reuters:
“(It) is a sort of a real reflection on what goes on in these businesses: what’s at stake, what kind of jeopardy is up for grabs and then the emotions,” Ramsay told Reuters. “This is (an)…unscripted, real version of life in the culinary world and the extent you go to for the badge of honour … Actors want Oscars, football players want F.A. Cup winners’ medals, chefs want Michelin stars.”
Episodes show host Jesse Burgess meeting chefs as they compose menus, primp up dishes and seek to impress that lone diner who may be a secret Michelin inspector. There is also input from the anonymous Michelin inspectors, voiced by actors. “We ask them questions and they answer. In reality, it was all … very secretive so that none of the producers or nobody actually saw the real-life inspectors,” Burgess said. “They just judge the food on the plate.”
Ramsay received his first Michelin star when he was head chef at London restaurant Aubergine. His own Restaurant Gordon Ramsay has held three stars since 2001…
Asked if he still gets nervous when Michelin issues new editions of the guide, Ramsay said: “I do get nervous … no one likes losing … (going) down to even two stars is unique, but … it’s major headlines if you do. I’m often asked, ‘What would you do if you did lose a star?’ Then, I’d fight and win it back.”
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, 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 $9.99 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, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
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iOS 26: Apple’s new Wallet app revamps boarding passes for smoother air travel
Apple has unveiled a major update to the Wallet app in iOS 26, enhancing the boarding pass experience to simplify air travel. The upgrade introduces real-time flight tracking, integrated baggage location tools, and instant airport navigation. Boarding passes now leverage Live Activities, allowing travelers to check flight status directly from the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island on newer iPhones. Additionally, users can access terminal maps and track luggage in real time using Apple’s Find My app, functionalities once exclusive to third-party apps.
Thomas Westerholm for Newsweek:
For frequent flyers, managing check-in details, gate changes and baggage claims across various platforms has long been a pain point.
Apple’s new integration promises to simplify this process, consolidating updates into a single interface while extending visibility to friends and family. When a user shares their flight, others can view the Live Activity without seeing sensitive information like seat numbers or boarding groups.
United’s adoption of the iOS 26 boarding pass update signals growing airline participation. Apple says nine other carriers—including Delta, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia—will follow suit.
Additionally, new shortcut buttons located beneath the boarding pass now link directly to Apple Maps for terminal navigation and to the Find My app for luggage tracking. The Wallet app also automatically refreshes flight data such as gate assignments and departure times.
MacDailyNews Take: To use your boarding pass in Apple Wallet, you need an iPhone or an Apple Watch with the latest version of iOS or watchOS and Face ID or Touch ID active.
Add a boarding pass to Apple Wallet
- Open the app, email, or other communication that contains your boarding pass.
- Tap Add to Apple Wallet.
- Follow the instructions on the screen.
- If necessary, tap Add in the upper right corner.
When you add a boarding pass to the Wallet app on your iPhone, you automatically add it to the Wallet app on your paired Apple Watch.
If you don’t see an option to add your boarding pass to the Wallet app, contact your airline to make sure they support boarding passes in the Wallet app.
Use a boarding pass on your iPhone
- On your iPhone, open the Wallet app.
- If prompted, authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
- Double-click the side button (iPhone with Face ID) or double-click the Home button (iPhone with Touch ID).
- Tap your boarding pass.
- Scan your boarding pass or present it to the attendant.
To use a boarding pass on your Apple Watch, open the boarding pass and scan or tap the display of your Apple Watch, or present it to the attendant. You might need to unlock your device to show your boarding pass before scanning or tapping it.
Share your boarding pass and Live Activity in Apple Wallet
With eligible boarding passes you’ve added to Apple Wallet, you can share Live Activity and your flight status with other iPhone users.
Share Live Activity from your boarding pass
- On your iPhone, open the Wallet app.
- Tap the boarding pass that you want to share.
- Tap Share Flight Tracker and choose which recipient you’d like to share your boarding pass Live Activity with via Messages.
- The recipient can then tap Follow through the shared Live Activity and begin receiving real-time updates about your flight status.
To use the Live Activity feature, you and your boarding pass recipient must have an iPhone with the latest version of iOS installed.
Share a boarding pass with nearby iPhone users
- On your iPhone, open the Wallet app.
- Tap the boarding pass that you want to share. Then hold your iPhone a few centimeters from the top of the other person’s iPhone. A glow will appear on both iPhones that indicates a connection is being made.
- Hold the devices near each other until the boarding pass appears, then tap Share.
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Apple improves Alarm dismissal method in iOS 26.1
In the second beta of iOS 26.1, Apple redesigned iPhone alarms, making them more difficult to dismiss compared to previous versions.
Stopping an alarm in iOS 26.1 beta 2 requires a new Slide to Stop gesture rather than a simple tap. You can continue to tap to snooze an alarm, but if you want to turn it off entirely, you need to use a swipe.
Transitioning from a tap to a slide gesture to stop an alarm could potentially help people who sleepily dismiss an alarm without meaning to. It’s easy to accidentally tap Stop instead of Snooze in the current version of iOS 26, but now if you blindly tap at your iPhone in the morning, you won’t be able to disable your alarm entirely…
Slide to Stop is also used for timers in iOS 26.1 beta 2.
MacDailyNews Take: Accidentally dismissing an alarm is something we’ve done once or twice, so this Slide to Stop gesture is an improvement.
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Football Manager 26 Touch arrives November 4th on Apple Arcade
Chase trophies, build a dynasty, and make the tough calls that define champions with Football Manager 26 Touch, returning to Apple Arcade on November 4. From Premier League glory to the debut of women’s football, this year’s edition puts players closer than ever to the drama, heartbreak, and triumph of the Beautiful Game.
Rounding out recent hits like NBA 2K26 Arcade Edition and NFL Retro Bowl ’26, Apple Arcade now gives sports fans the world’s greatest soccer management simulator. Football Manager 26 Touch by Sports Interactive and SEGA introduces an upgraded graphics engine that brings smoother player movement and incredible on-pitch detail to life, official Premier League licenses, and women’s football for the first time in series history — delivering more authenticity and options than ever before.
Manage women’s clubs with full leagues and competitions across multiple nations.
Football Manager 26 Touch is about living the life of a manager. Every transfer window is a test of nerve, every tactical tweak a shot at glory, and every match day a roller coaster of emotion. From discovering the next breakout star to celebrating a last-minute winner, this is football at its most gripping — and it’s all in players’ hands.
Elevate the experience with officially licensed English Premier League club crests, kits, and player likeness.
“We’re delighted to be bringing FM26 Touch back to Apple Arcade for the start of this new era for Football Manager,” said Miles Jacobson, Sports Interactive’s studio director, in a statement. “We think the reimagined user interface will really enhance the experience across Apple devices. In addition, the arrival of the Premier League fully licensed and the introduction of women’s football will further deepen exploration for Arcade players.”
Apple Arcade also welcomes spinoffs to Maxis Studios’ iconic The Sims franchise — MySims and MySims Kingdom — two charming tales of creativity and discovery; along with Toca Boca Jr Classics by Toca Boca and Sago Mini, featuring a collection of Toca Boca Jr’s most-loved games that open a vivid universe where imagination runs free. These three games will be available on November 6.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple Arcade is available for $6.99 (U.S.) per month with a one-month free trial. Customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV receive three months of Apple Arcade for free. Apple Arcade is part of Apple One’s Individual ($19.95 U.S.), Family ($25.95 U.S.), and Premier ($37.95 U.S.) monthly plans, with a one-month free trial. Arcade Originals are playable across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. App Store Greats are available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro. An Apple Arcade subscription gives a family of up to six unlimited access to all the games in its catalog.
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Apple mocks Windows PCs with new ‘Blue Screen of Death’ ad, spotlighting Mac security
Apple on Tuesday released a new ad titled “Blue Screen of Death,” poking fun at a significant Windows computer crash from last year caused by a flawed CrowdStrike security update.
Macs remained unaffected, largely due to Apple’s ongoing efforts to limit low-level access to the macOS operating system, making such issues highly unlikely.
The lighthearted ad features “The Underdogs,” a fictional group of employees who navigate challenges using Apple products and features. According to the video’s description, “The Underdogs are ready for their first-ever trade show until a PC outage strikes and the Blue Screen of Death threatens their beloved Container Con.” It adds, “Thanks to the security of their Apple products, the Underdogs are unaffected and experience extraordinary success.”
The video description includes a link to the security section of Apple’s enterprise page, which states, “kernel-level protection is designed to safeguard your system against breaches, outages, and unauthorized access.”The ad wraps up with the tagline, “There’s no security like Mac security.”Apple launched “The Underdogs” ad series in 2019, using humor and dramatization to highlight features like AirDrop and FaceTime over the years.
MacDailyNews Take: We pity the Windows sufferers.
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UK police break up criminal gang suspected of smuggling stolen iPhones to China
London police dismantled a criminal gang suspected of smuggling 40,000 stolen iPhones to China, marking their largest iPhone theft operation to date, with 46 arrests in the past two weeks. The gang is believed to account for roughly 40% of London’s phone thefts, fueled by a booming global market and quick escapes on e-bikes, a trend seen in other major cities.
Reuters:
Police said in a statement on Tuesday that the investigation started last year, when a box containing around a thousand iPhones was discovered at a warehouse near London’s Heathrow Airport as it was being shipped to Hong Kong.
The group specifically targeted Apple products because of their profitability overseas, police said, discovering they were paid up to 300 pounds ($403.02) per Apple phone, which could be sold for up to $5,000 in China.
“This is the largest crackdown on mobile phone theft and robbery in the UK,” police commander Andrew Featherstone said. “We’ve dismantled criminal networks at every level, from street-level thieves to international organised crime groups exporting tens of thousands of stolen devices each year.”
Of the dozens of arrests, eleven were made when officers targeted gangs robbing courier vans delivering the new iPhone 17, while two men in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of money laundering after 40,000 pounds in cash was found at a phone shop in north London.
MacDailyNews Take: Even criminal gangs don’t want pretend iPhones.
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Apple seeds second betas of macOS 26.1, iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1
Apple today released the second betas of iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 to developers for testing. These betas follow the first betas by two weeks.
Apple Intelligence is now available in more languages in the updates, including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. AirPods Live Translation also works with Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese (both Mandarin Traditional and Simplified) in iOS 26.1.
Liquid Glass has been expanded to the Phone app’s keypad, Apple Music has a new swipe gesture for changing tracks, and there are visual changes to Calendar, Safari, and Photos.
MacDailyNews Take: Expect the public releases of macOS 26.1, iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 to drop later this month. The new betas can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.
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Taylor Swift’s latest album ‘The Life Of A Showgirl’ breaks multiple streaming records on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music
Taylor Swift made history by shattering streaming records on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon with her latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
Carolina Piras for the Daily Mail:
On Spotify and Apple Music, the album became the most streamed in one day in 2025, and on Amazon Music it broke an all-time record – surpassing her own previous album The Tortured Poets Department.
As the new album holds the record for Apple Music’s biggest album of 2025 by first-day streams worldwide, her single The Fate of Ophelia reached Apple Music’s biggest song of 2025 by first-day streams globally.
The Cruel Summer hitmaker has also climbed up iTunes’ charts, earning the spot of biggest album of 2025, also based on first-day sales worldwide.
To celebrate her new album, Apple Music has compiled three Taylor Swift playlists that embody each phase— with highlights from her 12th full-length and the rest of her catalogue that express the feelings experienced before, during, and after a performance.
Taylor reunited with Swedish hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback for her 12th studio album, and their influence is clear in the driving beats and catchy hooks…
Elated fans worldwide snapped up tickets to special ‘release party’ screenings in movie theaters – including the premiere of the video for lead single The Fate of Ophelia… Aside from the Ophelia video, the weekend screenings feature behind-the-scenes footage and lyric videos.
The one-off cinematic event is estimated to gross $30-50 million, according to film industry website Deadline.
MacDailyNews Take: Money Machine.
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The Guardian reviews Apple Watch Series 11: ‘Wrist-flickingly good with longer battery life’
The new Apple Watch Series 11 offers the most comprehensive set of health features yet, longer battery life, an even more durable cover glass, and 5G cellular capabilities, all in its thinnest and most comfortable design. Apple Watch Series 11 is the ultimate health and fitness companion, empowering users with notifications for signs of chronic high blood pressure — also known as hypertension — plus new insights into sleep quality with sleep score, adding to the robust suite of health features included in the device. Featuring up to 24 hours of battery life and Ion-X glass that’s 2x more scratch-resistant, Apple Watch is more convenient than ever to wear throughout the day and night. watchOS 26 delivers more personalized ways to stay active, healthy, and connected with Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence, the wrist flick gesture, new watch faces, and more.
Apple Watch Series 11 is available in aluminum in a new space gray, as well as jet black, rose gold, and silver, and also in polished titanium in natural, gold, and slate.
Samuel Gibbs for The Guardian:
The Apple Watch Series 11 adds the one thing most people actually want from a smartwatch: longer battery life.
Otherwise the new model is a direct replacement for the Series 10, matching it in design, dimensions, and features, with most of its upgrades coming from software. That makes it one of the very best smartwatches available, even if it hasn’t changed much.
The new watch has the same S10 chip as last year’s model but now supports optional 5G and stronger reception for those times when you’re in the wilderness. The batteries have increased in capacity by 9% and 11% for the 42mm and 46mm watches respectively.
The Series 11 hasn’t changed the winning Apple Watch formula but it has added two things that most will appreciate: more scratch-resistant glass and longer battery life…
The best new feature is the wrist-flick gesture, where you rapidly twist your wrist away from you and then back to dismiss things and return to the watch face. It works even without raising your wrist to look at the watch, meaning you can dismiss alarms with a satisfying flick of the wrist…
The slim design, fast charging and two-day battery life make the watch easy to live with, particularly for sleep tracking and use as a silent alarm clock. The wrist-flick gesture is so good every watch should have it, while compatibility with straps and charging pucks for all previous Apple Watches is a great bonus for those upgrading.
MacDailyNews Take: Yet another stellar review for the Apple Watch Series 11!
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As Elon Musk’s SpaceX delivers real satellite connectivity to smartphones, Apple might be having second thoughts about propping up Globalstar
SpaceX’s $17 billion acquisition of spectrum licenses from EchoStar is set to enhance Starlink’s satellite-to-smartphone service, potentially prompting major corporations to reconsider their partnerships with Starlink’s rivals. With SpaceX planning to launch up to 15,000 advanced satellites for cellular connectivity, companies like AT&T and Verizon may doubt their ties with AST SpaceMobile. Apple, already facing internal skepticism over its Globalstar deal, now has further cause to question the wisdom of its decision to decline an offer from Elon Musk.
Jon Brodkin for Ars Technica:
SpaceX plans to acquire EchoStar’s rights to the spectrum in the US and globally. This “spectrum will allow SpaceX to provide phone, text, and broadband services from space to mobile users throughout the United States and around the world, especially in areas where terrestrial systems do not reach and at times when terrestrial coverage may be unavailable,” SpaceX told the Federal Communications Commission in a filing that seeks approval of the transaction and describes its plan for the satellites… [T]he FCC is likely to give SpaceX the approvals it needs for its new satellite network.
Starlink has deployed about 650 Direct to Cell (D2C) satellites under its existing authorizations, but the new satellites will be more capable and more numerous. Starlink service offered through T-Mobile initially supported texting only and now has limited data service. It’s a free add-on for T-Mobile’s most expensive plans, and it’s available for a $10 monthly fee on other T-Mobile plans.
SpaceX said the next-generation system will support voice, texting, and high-speed data. “The SpaceX MSS [mobile-satellite service] system will communicate with fixed and mobile earth stations and will be capable of providing connectivity virtually anywhere on Earth,” SpaceX said… If all goes as planned, Starlink should be able to provide a much-improved service for smartphones in late 2027.
Apple is partnering with satellite company Globalstar for the iPhone’s emergency SOS feature. The service is free to iPhone users, at least for now. Apple declined a pitch from Musk, who reportedly sought a $5 billion payment from the iPhone maker in exchange for an 18-month exclusivity deal.
There’s some internal frustration at Apple about Globalstar’s limited capabilities compared to Starlink, according to a May report by The Information. The concerns are that the Globalstar network is “outdated, slow, and limited in what features it can support compared with offerings from SpaceX and others.”
MacDailyNews Take: iPhone users, including non-T-Mobile subscribers, can add T-Satellite with Starlink by calling 1-844-638-8913 or visiting a T-Mobile retail store. More info here.
Note: On February 28, 2023, Apple lent Globalstar $252 million to help cover upfront costs for replenishing its low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation to support Apple’s “Emergency SOS via satellite.”
See also: Apple to invest up to $1.5 billion more in Globalstar for satellite coverage expansion – November 1, 2024
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OpenAI’s secretive AI device designed by Jony Ive beset by critical problems that could delay release
OpenAI and renowned designer Jony Ive are tackling multiple technical challenges with their secretive AI device, aiming for a major product launch next year. The San Francisco-based startup, led by Sam Altman, acquired Ive’s design firm, io, for $6.5 billion in May, but the duo has revealed little about their ongoing projects.
Tim Bradshaw, Cristina Criddle, Michael Acton, and Ryan McMorrow for Financial Times:
Their aim is to create a palm-sized device without a screen that can take audio and visual cues from the physical environment and respond to users’ requests.
People familiar with their plans said OpenAI and Ive had yet to solve critical problems that could delay the device’s release… [O]bstacles remain in the device’s software and the infrastructure needed to power it.
These include deciding on the assistant’s “personality”, privacy issues and budgeting for the computing power needed to run OpenAI’s models on a mass consumer device.
“Compute is another huge factor for the delay,” said one person close to Ive. “Amazon has the compute for an Alexa, so does Google [for its Home device], but OpenAI is struggling to get enough compute for ChatGPT, let alone an AI device — they need to fix that first.”
Multiple people familiar with the plans said OpenAI and Ive were working on a device roughly the size of a smartphone that users would communicate with through a camera, microphone and speaker. One person suggested it might have multiple cameras.
The gadget is designed to sit on a desk or table but can also be carried around by the user… One person said the device would be “always on” rather than triggered by a word or prompt. The device’s sensors would gather data throughout the day that would help to build its virtual assistant’s “memory”.
The goal is to improve the “smart speakers” of the past decade, such as Amazon’s Echo speaker and its Alexa digital assistant, which are generally used for a limited set of functions such as listening to music and setting kitchen timers.
OpenAI and Ive are seeking to build a more powerful and useful machine.
MacDailyNews Take: As we just asked earlier today, “The question is how does a “pocket-sized AI device” differ from the already pocket-sized iPhone and its Android knockoffs. The iPhone already has everything needed – microphones, cameras, fast processors, display, speakers, connectivity, etc. Why carry a “pocket-sized AI device” when you already carry a smartphone that could, via settings, be set up to match whatever the “pocket-sized AI device” offers (always listening, etc.) and exceed it (on-device LLMs, etc.)?”
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In the smart glasses race, Apple will win – Gene Munster
Veteran Apple analyst Gene Munster predicts Apple will lead the smart glasses market but questions whether glasses can achieve mainstream success, surpassing 500 million units annually. Unlike headphones or watches, glasses face unique adoption hurdles, such as fashion, comfort, prescription challenges, and privacy concerns. Wearing something on the face is a significant ask. Munster’s view is that even if Apple excels, the smart glasses market will likely peak at a few hundred million units yearly, falling short of the potential of phones or pocket-sized devices.
Gene Munster for GemeMunster.com:
I’ve been researching and investing in Apple for a long time, and don’t remember a more memorable seven months when it comes to product development. In March, the company announced the new AI-powered Siri would be delayed for about a year…
This week’s reporting from Gurman that Apple has paused development of Vision Pro and redirected resources toward lighter, more wearable devices stands alone in modern Apple product development as a miss. Putting the two together, we get a sense of how hard it is to predict and productize where the world is going.
It’s easy to harp on Apple’s recent misfires given it is so out of character. What’s more constructive is to ask ourselves, does Apple have the right north star by going for glasses, and do they have the technical chops to get the job done and be a player in the market. Relative to Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses, Apple has meaningful advantages in retail, distribution, and integrating hardware, software, and services.
Some evidence that it’s hard: Meta’s latest glasses are sold in Best Buy stores but require Meta employees to staff the aisles. Apple, in contrast, has a global retail footprint and experience driving mass adoption of new categories. This advantage will help Apple, but the ceiling for glasses remains lower than phones or pocket devices.
Bottom line, I believe in the glasses race, Apple will win… My take is even if Apple succeeds, this segment will cap at a few hundred million units annually, which is below the potential of phones or pocket companions.
I believe a pocket-sized AI device will in five plus years emerge as a winner. Its strengths are speed, ambient context, and a simpler privacy model compared to glasses. This device would not need to replace the phone but rather complement it.
Consumers will need a reason to carry an additional device, which was the same hurdle faced by Apple Watch, which took three years to gain traction. The Jony Ive device will first be shown off next year and volume production is expected in 2027. If pocket companions deliver speed, reliability, and privacy at scale, they could become the next great consumer hardware category.
MacDailyNews Take: The question is how does a “pocket-sized AI device” differ from the already pocket-sized iPhone and its Android knockoffs. The iPhone already has everything needed – microphones, cameras, fast processors, display, speakers, connectivity, etc. Why carry a “pocket-sized AI device” when you already carry a smartphone that could, via settings, be set up to match whatever the “pocket-sized AI device” offers (always listening, etc.) and exceed it (on-device LLMs, etc.)?
As for smart glasses:
Meta’s glasses are hardly smart, nor are they a threat to Apple. There is no substitute for Apple’s vast ecosystem. As soon as Apple releases its first pair of smart glasses it will quickly become that nascent market’s leader. – MacDailyNews, October 2, 2025
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Apple Original Films celebrates the premiere of ‘Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost’
On Sunday night, Apple Original Films celebrated the world premiere of Ben Stiller’s highly anticipated documentary, “Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost,” at the 2025 New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall. Emmy Award-winning director and producer Ben Stiller was joined by Amy Stiller, Christine Taylor-Stiller and Quin Stiller, along with producers John Lesher, Lizz Morhaim and Geoffrey Richman. Executive producers Kathryn Everett and Andy Hsieh, editor Adam Kurnitz and composer Will Bates were also in attendance, along with special guests Amy Sedaris and Cynthia Nixon. “Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost” will debut in select theaters October 17, 2025, before premiering globally on Apple TV+ October 24, 2025.
Quin Stiller, Christine Taylor-Stiller, director and producer Ben Stiller, and Amy Stiller attend the 2025 New York Film Festival world premiere of Apple Original Films’ “Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost” at Alice Tully Hall. “Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost” will debut in select theaters October 17, 2025, before premiering globally on Apple TV+ October 24, 2025.
Ben Stiller tells the story of his parents, comedy icons Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, exploring their impact both on popular culture and at home, where the lines between creativity, family, life and art often blurred. In the process, Stiller turns the camera on himself and his family to examine Jerry and Anne’s enormous influence on their lives, and the generational lessons we all can learn from those we love. Directed and produced by Emmy Award-winning Ben Stiller, “Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost” is also produced by John Lesher, Lizz Morhaim, and Geoffrey Richman, with Bryn Mooser, Justin Lacob, Kathryn Everett, Tony Hsieh and Andy Hsieh serving 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 earned 625 wins and 2,817 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
About Apple Original Films
Momentum around the Apple Original Films slate continues to grow since the debut of Apple TV+ over five years ago. Following its theatrical release on June 27, 2025, “F1: The Movie” debuted as the No. 1 movie at the global box office. Featuring an unparalleled cinematic experience and boasting an impressive 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film stands as Apple’s highest-grossing theatrical film to date. Celebrated Apple Original Films include “The Lost Bus,” an emotional, action-packed rescue drama directed by Academy Award nominee Paul Greengrass and starring Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera, which premiered in theaters on September 19 and globally on Apple TV+ on October 3. In addition to Apple making history as the first streaming service to land the Academy Award for Best Picture with “CODA,” Apple Original Film “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” also earned the Academy Award for Best Animated Short, and “Killers of the Flower Moon” landed 10 historic Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Apple TV+ also recently premiered “Highest 2 Lowest,” the latest feature reuniting Spike Lee with Denzel Washington for the fifth time; Emmy Award nominee “The Gorge,” starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy; “Wolfs,” starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt; “The Instigators,” starring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck; Academy Award-winning director Steve McQueen’s “Blitz”; and “Echo Valley,” the thriller from BAFTA Award winner Michael Pearce, starring Academy Award winner Julianne Moore and multi-Emmy Award nominee Sydney Sweeney.
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, 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 $9.99 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, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
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Who will run Apple after CEO Tim Cook?
When Tim Cook leaves Apple, the key question is who will manage the company’s daily operations? In a crisis, new COO Sabih Khan and retail head Deirdre O’Brien are well-equipped to step in. However, for a formal CEO succession, hardware engineering chief John Ternus is the top candidate, according to Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman.
Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News:
There are a few reasons this makes sense. For one, Apple has limited options within its executive management team. Ternus is 50 years old — the same age Cook was when he took the role — giving him the potential to be CEO for a decade or more if things go well. The same can’t realistically be said for most of the other top executives who might be under consideration.
Second, Apple probably needs more of a technologist than a sales or operations person. Though Apple has grown tremendously under Cook in both product breadth and revenue — and the iPhone 17 is clearly resonating with customers — the company has struggled to break into major new technology categories.
Apple has had great success designing its own chips, but the company has stumbled in areas such as mixed reality, generative AI, the smart home and autonomous vehicles. That could lead the board to conclude that a product engineering leader like Ternus is the answer, despite him not being known internally as someone who pursues big bets.
Third, Ternus stands out. He’s charismatic and well-regarded by Apple loyalists and trusted by Cook, who has granted Ternus more responsibilities. The executive has emerged as a key decision-maker on product road maps, features and strategies, extending his influence beyond the traditional scope of a hardware engineering chief.
MacDailyNews Take: As we wrote in July:
For its NeXT CEO, Apple needs relative YOUTH, not another 50- or 60-something calcified company lifer who was part of the so-called team that blindly missed the GenAI paradigm shift.
Steve Jobs was 42 years old when he returned to Apple as interim CEO in September 1997. pic.twitter.com/Bk0kdul7QF
— MacDailyNews (@MacDailyNews) July 10, 2025
Apple’s next CEO doesn’t need to be Steve Jobs, but does need to be much better than Tim Cook.
What should happen at Apple:
- Tim Cook retires (yesterday, preferably)
- Cook does not get Chairman of the Board position
- Apple hires a charismatic, visionary CEO in the mold of Jobs
- Company returns to path of inventive innovation
What likely will happen at Apple:
- Tim Cook hangs on for years
- When he finally retires as CEO, he becomes Chairman
- Apple hires another bland, myopic CEO in the mold of Cook
- Company continues on path of iterative stagnation
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Paris prosecutor’s office probes Apple’s voice assistant Siri
The Paris prosecutor’s office announced on Monday that it is investigating Apple’s voice assistant, Siri, following a complaint. Politico reported earlier that day that Apple is allegedly using users’ recordings without their consent.
Benoit Berthelot and Gaspard Sebag for Bloomberg News/a>:
The probe has been referred to the Office for Combating Cybercrime, the Paris prosecutor’s office said in a statement on Monday.
The investigation concerns Apple’s collection of user recordings through Siri, the digital assistant available on most of its devices. Apple can record and retain audio interactions through Siri to help improve its services, a feature the company says is opt-in. Some of that data can be retained for up to two years and reviewed by “graders”, or subcontractors, according to Apple.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple addressed this in January:
Although Apple attempts to do as much as possible on device, certain features require real-time input from Apple servers. And when that’s the case, Siri uses as little data as possible to deliver an accurate result. Siri searches and requests are not associated with your Apple Account. A random identifier — a long string of letters and numbers associated with a single device — is used to keep track of data while it’s being processed, rather than tying it to a user’s identity through their Apple Account or phone number — a process that we believe is unique among digital assistants in use today.
Apple does not retain audio recordings of Siri interactions unless users explicitly opt in to help improve Siri, and even then, the recordings are used solely for that purpose. Users can easily opt out at any time.
Read more here.
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