Apple News
After lagging in AI, 2026 will be critical for Apple’s Siri
As 2025 draws to a close, Apple finds itself under mounting pressure to prove its mettle in the generative AI race, having effectively sidelined major advancements this year amid development challenges and a deliberate focus on quality over speed. The company’s highly anticipated overhaul of Siri — a more personal, context-aware assistant capable of complex tasks and deep app integration—remains delayed until 2026, leaving investors and users questioning its strategy while competitors like Google, OpenAI, and Meta surge ahead with bold AI innovations. With recent leadership shake-ups and mixed reception to existing Apple Intelligence features, 2026 emerges as a make-or-break year for the company to finally deliver on its AI promises and reclaim momentum.
Apple doesn’t usually tell the public its product roadmap, but in Siri’s case, the iPhone maker made an exception. The company was supposed to launch the new AI assistant in 2025. But in March, Apple delayed the upgrade, even after running ads for the feature, to sometime in “the coming year.”
As consumers become increasingly accustomed to holding free-flowing conversations with the likes of ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini chatbots, the pressure is on Apple to keep up.
CEO Tim Cook told investors in October that Apple has been making good progress on Siri, and that’s “raised the bar meaningfully about what to expect,” said Deepwater Asset Management’s Gene Munster.
“They basically said that this year, don’t bother us about AI, and we’ll blow you away by what we show next year,” Munster said…
In early December, Apple said John Giannandrea, the company’s machine learning and AI strategy chief, would retire in 2026. Many of his responsibilities will be split among COO Sabih Khan, services chief Eddy Cue and new hire Amar Subramanya, who previously worked at Google and Microsoft. Software chief Craig Federighi also gained expanded oversight over AI, with Subramanya reporting to him, Apple said.
The hiring of Subramanya, who was the head of engineering for Google Gemini before briefly joining Microsoft in an AI executive role, is particularly notable. The iPhone maker doesn’t tend to publicly discuss its engineering talent, especially new hires that don’t report directly to Cook.
The public announcement of a vice president hire like Subramanya shows how important it is for Apple to prove to investors and the public that it’s willing to shake up its AI leadership…
“Investors have already gotten enough gray hairs waiting for Apple to come out with their AI strategy,” said Wedbush analyst Dan Ives. “It’s time to come out and show the world what the strategy is.”
MacDailyNews Take: We are hearing the LLM Siri will be worth the wait!
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 After lagging in AI, 2026 will be critical for Apple’s Siri appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple leads Morgan Stanley’s top IT hardware picks for 2026
As 2026 approaches, Morgan Stanley anticipates a more challenging landscape for the IT hardware sector, characterized by narrowing leadership, elevated valuations, macroeconomic inconsistencies, and rising memory costs. In this environment, strategic stock selection becomes paramount, with the firm highlighting five standout overweight recommendations. Leading the pack is Apple, poised to benefit from a robust product cycle, alongside Western Digital — named as the top pick overall — Seagate Technology, TD Synnex, and Teradata. These selections reflect opportunities amid headwinds, as detailed in Morgan Stanley’s latest sector outlook.
Sam Boughedda for Investing.com:
Analyst Erik Woodring told investors in a note that “elevated valuations, a still-inconsistent macro, and memory cost inflation are likely to narrow Hardware outperformance breadth in 2026,” with stock selection becoming increasingly important.
Apple stands out as a key “product-cycle beneficiary,” Woodring said.
While the firm cut its FY27 product gross margin assumptions “160bps due to memory headwinds,” it added that “iPhone units/pricing more than offset,” with FY27 EPS now “8% above Street” expectations.
Western Digital remains Morgan Stanley’s top pick heading into 2026, with the firm citing pricing strength and margin upside.
MacDailyNews Note: Morgan Stanley also raised its target price on Apple shares to $315 from $305.
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 leads Morgan Stanley’s top IT hardware picks for 2026 appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Trump admin warns EU over harassing lawsuits, taxes, fines, and directives against U.S. companies
In a sharply worded statement posted on X, the Trump administration via its Office of the United States Trade Representative has accused the European Union and its member states of engaging in a prolonged pattern of discriminatory practices against American service providers, including harassing lawsuits, taxes, fines, and regulatory directives. Highlighting the substantial benefits U.S. companies provide to Europe — such as free services, enterprise solutions, millions of jobs, and over $100 billion in investments — the USTR contrasts this with the open access European firms like Spotify, SAP, and Accenture enjoy in the U.S. market, warning that continued restrictions could prompt retaliatory measures, including fees or limitations on foreign services.
Office of the United States Trade Representative via X:
The European Union and certain EU Member States have persisted in a continuing course of discriminatory and harassing lawsuits, taxes, fines, and directives against U.S. service providers. U.S. services companies provide substantial free services to EU citizens and reliable enterprise services to EU companies, and they support millions of jobs and more than $100 billion in direct investment in Europe. The United States has raised concerns with the EU for years on these matters without meaningful engagement or basic acknowledgement of U.S. concerns.
In stark contrast, EU service providers have been able to operate freely in the United States for decades, benefitting from access to our market and consumers on a level playing field. Some of the largest EU service providers that have hitherto enjoyed this expansive market access include, among others:
— Accenture
— Amadeus
— Capgemini
— DHL
— Mistral
— Publicis
— SAP
— Siemens
— Spotify
If the EU and EU Member States insist on continuing to restrict, limit, and deter the competitiveness of U.S. service providers through discriminatory means, the United States will have no choice but to begin using every tool at its disposal to counter these unreasonable measures. Should responsive measures be necessary, U.S. law permits the assessment of fees or restrictions on foreign services, among other actions. The United States will take a similar approach to other countries that pursue an EU-style strategy in this area.
MacDailyNews Note: More info about the Office of the United States Trade Representative 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 Trump admin warns EU over harassing lawsuits, taxes, fines, and directives against U.S. companies appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple explores chip assembly talks with Indian manufacturers
Apple is engaged in early-stage discussions with Indian semiconductor firms to handle the assembly and packaging of certain iPhone chips, ET reports citing sources familiar with the matter. This development represents a significant advancement in the supply chain for Apple’s Indian partners, potentially marking the company’s first move into local chip processing beyond device assembly.
Dia Rekhi for The Economic Times:
Exploratory conversations have taken place between Murugappa Group-owned CG Semi, which is building an outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat, said the people cited.
“The companies are in the very initial stages of discussion,” one of them said. “It is not clear what chips will be packaged out of the Sanand facility at this stage, but it will likely be display chips.”
The person added that this may be the “beginning of an uphill climb” for CG Semi since if talks progress, it will have to pass Apple’s stringent quality standards to clinch the deal. “Apple is already in talks with several companies for a number of other supply chain functions, and very few will end up on their supplier list,” the person said.
MacDailyNews Take: If finalized, such an agreement would represent a landmark victory for India’s rapidly expanding semiconductor sector, elevating local firms higher in Apple’s supply chain and accelerating the nation’s push toward advanced chip assembly and packaging capabilities amid global diversification efforts.
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 explores chip assembly talks with Indian manufacturers appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple releases new Powerbeats Pro 2 firmware
Apple on Tuesday released new Powerbeats Pro 2 firmware, build version 8A359.
Apple hasn’t released official release notes for the latest Powerbeats Pro 2 firmware update. As is typical with these updates, it likely includes bug fixes, stability improvements, and performance optimizations.
Similar to AirPods, there’s no dedicated “Update” button in the settings. The update happens automatically when specific conditions are met:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- Make sure that your Beats are connected to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Fully charge your Beats (or make sure they’re connected to power).
- Do one of the following:
• Beats with a case: Place both earbuds in the case, then close the lid.
• Beats with a power or system button: Turn off your Beats device. - Keep your Beats in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, then wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update.
- Reconnect your Beats to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Check the firmware version.
MacDailyNews Note: If you still can’t update your firmware, reset your Beats, then try to update the firmware again.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple releases new Powerbeats Pro 2 firmware appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple Watch leads Q3 shipments with 23% market share
Global smartwatch shipments rose 9% YoY in Q3 2025. Apple led the shipments with 23% market share, followed by Huawei with 17%, according to Counterpoint Research.
Among the top 10 brands, Huawei led in YoY growth, followed by Apple. Apple recorded shipment growth after seven consecutive quarters of decline since Q4 2023, reclaiming the shipment leader position it lost to Huawei in Q2 2025.
Shipments grew across all regions in Q3 2025 except India. China posted the highest growth at 31% YoY, followed by Europe and North America with 16% and 15%, respectively. India saw a 23% YoY decline due to a continued drop in basic smartwatch shipments.
In North America, HLOS smartwatch shipments grew 14% YoY in Q3 2025. Market leader Apple’s shipments grew 26% YoY. Garmin witnessed growth with the introduction of new models, while Samsung’s shipments fell during the quarter.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple Watch reclaims its rightful throne!
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple Watch leads Q3 shipments with 23% market share appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Code leak confirms Apple is building the M5 Max iMac Pro
Apple is reportedly working on a premium iMac equipped with the M5 Max chip, based on details uncovered in leaked internal software, MacRumors reports.. The evidence stems from Apple’s kernel debug kit files, which are tools used by engineers and contain references to upcoming hardware via internal codenames, platform identifiers, and mappings to chip names.
These leaks have been corroborated by secondary reports and screenshots shared within China’s tech circles in recent days, appearing on platforms like Weibo and BiliBili. While the files also mention other future Macs, the high-end iMac stands out as a potential revival of a pro-oriented all-in-one desktop.
Hartley Charlton for MacRumors:
The software contains references to an iMac with the identifier J833c running platform H17C. H17C is associated with the codename “Sotra C,” which relates to the expected marketing name “M5 Max.” This suggests that an iMac with the M5 Max chip is in active testing.
The software refers to a number of devices believed to be used exclusively for internal testing, such as iPad minis running tvOS and MacBooks with the A15 chip, so there is a chance that the M5 Max iMac is used for testing only. However, since the M5 Max chip is expected to be introduced next year and there have been rumors about Apple reintroducing a high-end “Pro” iMac for several years, it may well be destined for launch. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believed that Apple was still “working on a larger-screened iMac aimed at the professional market” following the launch of the Apple silicon iMac, a rumor supported by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
MacDailyNews Take: As we plan to move back to desktop Macs for the office and lightweight, long-lasting MacBooks for the road, the potential of an M5 Max iMac Pro is especially intriguing!
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 Code leak confirms Apple is building the M5 Max iMac Pro appeared first on MacDailyNews.
iPhone 17e, coming soon, said to feature Apple’s C1X modem
According to reporting by The Information, Apple is making significant strides in its iPhone development pipeline, with a focus on in-house cellular modem technology and exploring bold new form factors like foldable screens and curved glass cases.
In the near term, Apple plans to introduce its custom-designed cellular modems starting with lower-end models. The Information reports that a new entry-level iPhone model, referred to as the “iPhone 17e” and expected to launch in spring 2026, will feature the C1X modem. This chip represents a natural progression over the earlier C1 modem used in the iPhone 16e. However, the iPhone 17e is anticipated to omit Apple’s N1 wireless chip, potentially resulting in the absence of Thread networking support despite incorporating an Apple-designed cellular baseband.
For premium devices, the roadmap points to further modem evolution. Internal indications suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro models, slated for a fall launch, will include the N1 chip. Apple is reportedly weighing options between the C1X and a next-generation C2 baseband for these Pro variants.
Beyond connectivity improvements, Apple’s longer-term vision includes transformative design changes. The Information details ongoing work on foldable screens, which could enable new device categories or hybrid iPhone designs. Additionally, the company is exploring curved glass cases that would give future iPhones a more fluid, wrapped aesthetic distinct from current flat-edged designs.
MacDailyNews Take: These developments underscore Apple’s push toward greater vertical integration and differentiation in hardware, aiming to reduce reliance on third-party components while introducing novel user experiences. Plans remain subject to change as Apple refines its internal projects.
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 iPhone 17e, coming soon, said to feature Apple’s C1X modem appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Your Apple Watch just got a lifesaving upgrade with Enhanced Safety Alerts
Apple Watch users can stay informed about critical situations through a variety of government-issued and enhanced safety alerts. These features are designed to deliver timely notifications during emergencies, helping users respond quickly to potential threats.
About Government and Emergency Alerts
Your Apple Watch can receive important alerts directly, including:
• Alerts issued by your country or region’s government
• Alerts involving imminent threats to safety or life
• Alerts for extreme weather conditions
• AMBER alerts (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response)*
• Public Safety Alerts*
*AMBER alerts and Public Safety Alerts are not available in all countries or regions.
When an alert arrives, it typically plays a distinctive alarm-like sound to grab your attention, even if your watch is in silent mode.
Managing Government Alerts Preferences
Government Alerts are enabled by default on compatible devices. To customize these settings:
- On your paired iPhone, open the Settings app and tap Notifications.
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen.
- Under Government Alerts, toggle the desired alert types on or off.
Changes made on your iPhone automatically apply to your Apple Watch. These alerts require a supported carrier SIM and work when your iPhone is nearby, connected to Wi-Fi, or—with cellular models (Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + Cellular or later) — independently via a compatible cellular plan.
In certain countries or regions, some Government Alerts cannot be disabled for public safety reasons. Contact your carrier for details on compatibility.
Receiving Test Emergency Alerts on Apple Watch (United States Only)
U.S. users can opt into receiving test emergency alerts, which help familiarize you with the notification system. These are disabled by default and clearly marked as tests, accompanied by an alarm sound.
Test alerts are supported by U.S. carriers (including Puerto Rico), with content and frequency determined by local governments.
How to Enable Test Alerts
- Ensure your iPhone is running iOS 15.6 or later.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications.
- Toggle on Test Alerts — this also enables them on your paired Apple Watch.
Apple Watch with cellular can receive these independently.
Enabling Test Alerts for Family-Managed Apple Watch
For watches set up via Family Setup (watchOS 8.4 or later):
- Download the Test Alerts profile on the managing iPhone: Test Alerts profile.
- Tap Allow and select the Apple Watch if prompted.
- Go to Settings > Profile Downloaded and tap Install, following onscreen instructions.
- On the Apple Watch, open Settings > Notifications and enable Test Alerts.
To disable, toggle off in iPhone Notifications or remove the profile via Settings > General > Device Management.
About Enhanced Safety Alerts
Introduced in watchOS 26.2 or later, Enhanced Safety Alerts are available in the United States and Taiwan. These provide supplemental notifications for events like earthquake warnings, floods, fires, or other imminent threats, sourced from alert originators.
Delivered via Wi-Fi or cellular data based on your location, these alerts differ in appearance and sound from standard Government Alerts. Enabling “Improve Alert Delivery” shares your approximate location with Apple (not stored) to enhance speed and reliability—especially useful for earthquakes in regions like California, Oregon, and Washington. An active cellular plan aids delivery when away from iPhone or Wi-Fi.
You may receive both Enhanced and Government Alerts for the same event, with Enhanced potentially arriving faster.
Network conditions can impact delivery; not all features are available everywhere.
Bi-Level Earthquake Alerts
For earthquakes, alerts are tiered:
• Awareness Alert: Notifies of nearby detection, advising preparation.
• Action Alert: Critical notification for expected strong shaking, urging immediate protective actions.
Both include estimated magnitude, proximity, and safety recommendations.
Manage your Enhanced Safety Alerts preferences
Earthquake Alerts and Imminent Threat Alerts are turned on by default, and Improve Alert Delivery is turned off by default. To adjust any of these settings:
- On your iPhone, open the Settings app, then tap Notifications.
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen.
- Under Enhanced Alerts, tap Enhanced Safety Alerts.
- Tap Earthquake Alerts, Imminent Threat Alerts, or Improve Alert Delivery to turn it off or on.
Additional Resources
• Learn how to set up emergency alerts for Japan.
• Learn about emergency and government alerts on iPhone.
MacDailyNews Note: These alert systems underscore Apple’s commitment to user safety, integrating seamlessly with watchOS to provide potentially life-saving information in real time. Always ensure your devices are updated for the latest features and reliability.
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 Your Apple Watch just got a lifesaving upgrade with Enhanced Safety Alerts appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple TV unveils a first look at ‘Widow’s Bay’
Apple TV on Tuesday announced that its new 10-episode series “Widow’s Bay” will make its global debut on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, with the first three episodes, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through June 17, 2026, on Apple TV. Led by Emmy Award winner Matthew Rhys, who also serves as executive producer, “Widow’s Bay” hails from creator Katie Dippold, and is directed and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Hiro Murai through his banner Chum Films.
“Widow’s Bay” is a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England. But something lurks beneath the surface. Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) is desperate to revive his struggling community. There’s no Wi-Fi, spotty cellular reception and he must contend with superstitious locals who believe their island is cursed. He wants these people to respect him. They don’t. They think he is soft and cowardly. And he is. But Loftis is determined to build a better future for his teenage son and turn the island into a tourist destination. Miraculously, he succeeds: tourists are finally coming. Unfortunately, the locals were right. After decades of calm, the old stories that seemed too ludicrous to be true start happening again. “Widow’s Bay” blends genuine horror with character-driven comedy. Rhys stars alongside an ensemble cast led by Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Root, Kingston Rumi Southwick, Kevin Carroll, and Dale Dickey.
Hailing from Apple Studios, “Widow’s Bay” is created, showrun and executive produced by Dippold. Murai executive produces through his banner Chum Films alongside Carver Karaszewski, Claudia Shin, and Rhys. Murai directs five episodes this season, in addition to directors Ti West, Sam Donovan, and Andrew DeYoung.
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 662 wins and 2,984 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” and Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a ltv.apple.com,imited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple TV unveils a first look at ‘Widow’s Bay’ appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple to participate in Trump admin’s U.S. Tech Force to modernize government technology
The Trump administration has launched the U.S. Tech Force, a White House-backed program designed to recruit an elite group of approximately 1,000 technology specialists to tackle the federal government’s most pressing technological challenges. Announced on December 15, 2025, the initiative aims to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) implementation, modernize systems, and address large-scale civic and defense issues.
As described on the official website:
“The US Tech Force is recruiting an elite corps of engineers to build the next generation of government technology. Backed by the White House, Tech Force will tackle the most complex and large-scale civic and defense challenges of our era – from administering critical financial infrastructure at the Treasury Department to advancing cutting-edge programs at the Department of Defense – and everything in between.”
The program targets highly skilled professionals in software engineering, AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, and technical project management. Participants commit to a two-year term, working in teams that report directly to agency leadership on high-impact projects, with salaries ranging from approximately $130,000 to $195,000 (or up to $200,000 in some reports).
A key feature of Tech Force is its collaboration with leading private-sector technology companies. These partners provide technical training, mentorship, and opportunities for participants to engage with industry leaders. Experienced engineering managers from partner companies may also serve stints in government roles. Upon completion of the two-year program, participants can pursue full-time positions with these partnering firms, which have committed to considering Tech Force alumni for employment. Companies can similarly nominate their employees for government service.
“In collaboration with leading technology companies, participants will receive technical training, engage with industry leaders, and work closely with senior managers from companies partnering with the Tech Force.”
“Tech Force will be an elite group of ~1,000 technology specialists hired by agencies to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) implementation and solve the federal government’s most critical technological challenges.”
Apple’s Participation in Tech Force
Apple is among the prominent private-sector partners in the U.S. Tech Force initiative. The company’s involvement aligns with a broader list of tech giants contributing to the program, including Amazon Web Services, Google Public Sector, Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAI, Oracle, Palantir, Salesforce, Meta, and others such as Adobe, Dell Technologies, Uber, xAI, and Zoom.
Through this partnership, Apple is expected to supply resources such as technical training, mentorship programs, and potential nominations of its employees for government stints. Senior managers from Apple may advise federal teams or take leaves of absence to work directly on government projects. Additionally, Apple has committed to considering Tech Force program alumni for full-time roles after their public service terms end.
While Apple has not issued a specific public statement on the extent of its participation as of the initiative’s launch, its inclusion in the official partner list underscores its role in helping bridge the talent gap between Silicon Valley and federal agencies. This collaboration reflects a non-partisan effort focused on enhancing government technology capabilities amid global competition in AI and digital infrastructure.
The Tech Force program represents a strategic push to infuse fresh technical expertise into government operations, blending public service with private-sector innovation.
MacDailyNews Note: Applications are open, with the goal of placing the first cohort in roles early in 2026. For more details, visit techforce.gov.
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 to participate in Trump admin’s U.S. Tech Force to modernize government technology appeared first on MacDailyNews.
App developers call for EU action on Apple’s App Store fees
A coalition of 20 app developers and consumer groups urged European regulators on Tuesday to strictly enforce EU laws against Apple, arguing that the company’s App Store fee structure continues to put European developers at a competitive disadvantage relative to their U.S. counterparts following a recent U.S. court ruling in the Epic Games antitrust case.
The group, part of the Coalition for Apps Fairness (including companies like Deezer and Proton), contends that Apple’s compliance measures with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) — which include fees of 13-20% on App Store purchases and additional 5-15% penalties on external transactions — still violate the law’s requirements for fee-free alternative payment options. They highlight that U.S. developers now face fewer restrictions on external payments due to the December 2025 appeals court decision, exacerbating the disparity for European firms.
“This situation is untenable and damaging to the app economy,” CAF said in a statement, accusing Apple of undermining transparency and stifling innovation.
Global Policy Counsel for CAF, Gene Burrus, said that developers in the EU have to either bear the cost of those fees or pass them down to customers. “It is bad for European companies, and it is bad for European consumers,” he said.
Although Apple has announced further policy changes to take effect in January, it has yet to specify what these revisions will entail, fuelling dissatisfaction among developers over the lack of clarity.
“We want the EU Commission to tell Apple that the law is the law and that free of charge means free of charge,” Burrus said, adding that the European authorities should consider referring the issue to the European Court of Justice if necessary.
MacDailyNews Take: Why should Apple provide anything “free of charge?” The App Store costs money to run. It’s not a public utility, it’s a business.
The vast majority of developers who pay Apple an App Store commission, pay 15%. That amounts to 12 cents of “inflated prices” for non-free apps on average. So, if you bought 50 apps for your iPhone, it would cost you, on the average, a total of $40. Halving Apple’s commission would reduce that price to $37. Removing Apple’s commission entirely would reduce that price to $34.
Here you see the absolute horror of “inflated prices” caused by Apple trying to cover costs to run their App Store for 1.4+ billion iOS/iPadOS users. A total of $3-$6 per every 50 apps, on average. How can any app consumer survive such abject gouging?!!!
How much did it cost developers to have their apps burned onto CDs, boxed, shipped, displayed on store shelves prior to Apple remaking the world for the better for umpteenth time? Does Apple not have costs to store, review, organize, surface, and distribute apps to 1+ billion users? – MacDailyNews, July 30, 2021
Ultimately, the end user pays, regardless.
Either Apple continues to take App Store commissions to pay for their infrastructure costs or they increase hardware and/or subscription prices to pay for the government interference.
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 App developers call for EU action on Apple’s App Store fees appeared first on MacDailyNews.
UK government to ‘encourage’ Apple and Google to include nudity-blocking software in OSes
The UK government is set to urge Apple and Google to embed advanced nudity-detection software directly into device operating systems. This proposed measure, detailed in a forthcoming Home Office strategy, would automatically block the capture, sharing, or viewing of images depicting genitalia by default, with adults required to undergo age verification—such as biometric scans or ID checks—to disable the restrictions. While stopping short of mandating these controls, the initiative highlights a shift toward proactive, device-level safeguards over broader social media bans for minors.
Chris Smyth and Anna Gross for Financial Times:
Officials have explored making such controls a mandatory requirement for devices sold in the UK but have decided against such an approach for now, the people added.
While Apple and Google’s Android mobile operating system have developed sensitive content warnings for younger users, these can be overridden by entering a passcode.
The Home Office wants to see operating systems that prevent any nudity being displayed on screen unless the user has verified they are an adult through methods such as biometric checks or official ID.
While the policy has initially focused on mobile devices, officials say the same models could also be applied to desktops… However, the proposals are likely to face objections over privacy and civil liberties, as well as questions about how effective such measures could be.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple already offers “Communication Safety” tools for parents. If your child receives or attempts to send photos or videos that might contain nudity, Communication Safety warns them, gives them options to stay safe, and provides helpful resources.
Communication Safety uses on-device machine learning to analyze photo and video attachments and determine if a photo or video appears to contain nudity. Because the photos and videos are analyzed on your child’s device, Apple doesn’t receive an indication that nudity was detected and doesn’t get access to the photos or videos.
Communication Safety detects nude photos and videos in these apps and services:
• On iPhone or iPad: Messages, AirDrop, Contact Posters in the Phone app and the Contacts app, FaceTime calls and video messages, shared photo albums, and when your child selects a photo or video to share in some third-party apps.
• On Mac: Messages, Contact Posters in the Phone app and the Contacts app, shared photo albums, and when your child selects a photo or video to share in some third-party apps.
• On Apple Watch: Messages, Contact Posters in the Phone app and the Contacts app, and FaceTime video messages.
• On Apple Vision Pro: Messages, AirDrop, and when your child selects a photo or video to share in some third-party apps.
Learn more about Apple’s “Communication Safety” tools 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 UK government to ‘encourage’ Apple and Google to include nudity-blocking software in OSes appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple Music now available natively in all GM vehicles with standard streaming; Cadillac debuts studio-grade Spatial Audio in Dolby Atmos
Apple Music is coming natively to GM vehicles. Starting today, the app begins rolling out to select 2025 and newer Cadillac and Chevrolet models, giving drivers direct access to millions of songs, curated playlists, exclusive content, live global radio, and personalized recommendations — all seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s infotainment system. Availability across additional GM brands will follow.
This update allows Apple Music to take full advantage of GM’s software platform, the vehicle’s processing power, and advanced audio systems. For Cadillac customers, it unlocks Apple Music’s leading library of Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, transforming the cabin into an immersive, three-dimensional sound environment designed around the vehicle’s acoustics.
Audio streaming at no additional cost with OnStar
To make listening effortless, GM is making audio streaming standard through OnStar Basics for all 2025 and newer vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. That means customers can access their favorite music, audiobook, podcast, and news apps — including Apple Music — at no additional connectivity cost for eight years with their vehicle purchase.
“We are bringing the Apple Music app to GM vehicles in a way that takes full advantage of our industry-leading audio capabilities,” said Tim Twerdahl, GM’s vice president of global product management, in a statement. “It’s the latest example of how we’re expanding entertainment choices built directly into our vehicles.”
Always-on upgrades and new features
Apple Music is the latest addition to GM’s growing suite of built-in apps and services connected by OnStar. Powered by GM’s software platform and continuous delivery model, customers benefit from vehicles that improve long after they leave the factory, receiving new features and updates over the air.
Apple Music shown on the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV.
Because Apple Music is natively integrated and connects through OnStar’s built-in connectivity, customers can:
• Start streaming the moment they enter the vehicle
• Use your voice assistant for hands-free control
• Enjoy over 100 million songs, exclusive content, thousands of curated playlists, and live global radio, all ad free
• Experience Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos in equipped Cadillac models
A studio-like music experience
For Cadillac owners, Apple Music delivers a truly elevated audio experience. Its vast library of Spatial Audio tracks in Dolby Atmos transforms the cabin into a studio-grade acoustic space, revealing layers of depth and clarity that traditional stereo can’t replicate.
In vehicles like the Cadillac VISTIQ, a commanding 23-speaker AKG audio system — equipped with strategically positioned Dolby Atmos–enabled speakers — creates a soundstage where instruments occupy distinct physical spaces and vocals float precisely where the artist intended.
Availability
Select 2025 and 2026 Chevrolet and Cadillac vehicles now have access to Apple Music natively, starting today via the latest software update. Apple Music will appear automatically in eligible vehicles. Existing Apple Music subscribers can sign in with their current subscription to begin streaming when connected via OnStar. New listeners can sign up with just a tap on the dashboard.
Cadillac
• 2025 and 2026 CT5
• 2025 ESCALADE IQ
• 2026 VISTIQ, featuring Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
• More vehicles on the way with immersive audio
Chevrolet
• 2025 and 2026 Blazer EV, Equinox EV and Silverado EV
• 2026 Corvette, Suburban and Tahoe
• More vehicles on the way, including the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt
Buick & GMC
• Vehicles coming soon
GM vehicles have inspired over 4,000 song lyrics across genres and generations. This Apple Music integration continues that musical legacy and marks a milestone in GM’s mission to bring customers the apps they love, seamlessly built into the GM experience.
MacDailyNews Take: We’d rather have CarPlay, GM, than one app included within it (not that we’d ever consider a GM vehicle anyway).
See also: M to kill Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all its vehicles, not just its poor-selling EVs – October 22, 2025
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 Music now available natively in all GM vehicles with standard streaming; Cadillac debuts studio-grade Spatial Audio in Dolby Atmos appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Hypertension notifications now available on Apple Watch in India
Apple Watch has introduced the groundbreaking hypertension notifications feature in India, which can alert users if signs of chronic high blood pressure — or hypertension — are detected.
Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease, and impacts approximately 1.3 billion adults globally. It is frequently undiagnosed because it often has no symptoms, many people do not see a doctor regularly, and even during a clinical visit, it can be easily missed with a single measurement.
Hypertension notifications on Apple Watch use data from the optical heart sensor to analyse how a user’s blood vessels respond to the beats of the heart. The algorithm works passively in the background reviewing data over 30-day periods, and will notify users if it detects consistent signs of hypertension. These notifications provide users with valuable insights into their health as it relates to this widespread condition simply by wearing their Apple Watch, so they can begin making potentially lifesaving behavioural changes, or start treatment to reduce their risk of serious, long-term health events.
Users can set up hypertension notifications in the Health app on iPhone.
Like all of Apple’s health features, hypertension notifications are grounded in rigorous scientific validation. The feature was developed with advanced machine learning and training data from multiple studies totalling over 100,000 participants. Its performance was then validated in a clinical study of over 2,000 participants. While hypertension notifications will not detect all instances of hypertension, with the reach of Apple Watch, the feature is expected to notify over 1 million people with undiagnosed hypertension within the first year.
“Hypertension is one of the most widespread yet under-diagnosed health conditions. Integrating opportunistic detection into a device people already wear daily will democratise access for early detection and help people have more informed conversations with their doctors,” says professor Dorairaj Prabhakaran, the Centre for Chronic Disease Control’s executive director and the World Heart Federation’s president-elect, in a statement.
If users receive a hypertension notification, it is recommended that they log their blood pressure for seven days using a third-party blood pressure cuff and share the results with their provider at their next visit, which is consistent with the latest American Heart Association guidelines for the diagnosis and management of hypertension.
MacDailyNews Take: Congrats, Apple Watch users in India!
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 Hypertension notifications now available on Apple Watch in India appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple Sports app to add PGA and LPGA golf
Apple is expanding its free Sports app with dedicated support for golf, bringing real-time leaderboards, shot-by-shot tracking, and detailed player stats to fans of the PGA Tour and major tournaments. The highly requested feature is expected to roll out in time for the 2026 season, further enhancing the app’s coverage of live scores and play-by-play updates across multiple sports.
Joe Rossignol for MacRumors:
The latest version of the Apple Sports app includes images for the men’s PGA Tour and the women’s LPGA hidden within the app’s code, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. While users cannot yet follow the PGA Tour or LPGA in the app, the addition of the images suggests that support is coming soon.
The app already supports the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Premier League, NASCAR, F1, Premier League, and more, and golf will further expand the selection.
MacDailyNews Take: What about the DP World Tour, LIV Golf, Asian Tour, PGA Tour Champions, etc.?
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 to add PGA and LPGA golf appeared first on MacDailyNews.
IDC: Worldwide foldable smartphone market to grow 30% YoY in 2026, boosted by Apple’s foldable iPhone
Worldwide foldable smartphone shipments are forecast to grow 10% year-on-year (YoY) in 2025 to 20.6 million units, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. The new foldable iPhone from Apple, alongside Samsung’s Galaxy Z Trifold, available from Q1 2026, are expected to ignite consumer demand for the category in 2026.
“Next year will prove exciting for the foldable category with multiple launches pushing the market to 30% YoY growth from just 6% in the prior forecast,” said Nabila Popal, senior research director with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, in a statement. “Samsung will kick start 2026 with the Galaxy Z Trifold, introducing tri-fold innovation to mainstream global consumers, building off the momentum of the successful Galaxy Z Fold7 in 2025. Huawei’s foldables running on HarmonyOS Next will also see strong growth, with shipments expected to almost double in 2026. But the real game-changer for the category comes at year-end when Apple enters the foldable space, projected to capture over 22% unit share and a staggering 34% of the foldables market value in its first year, thanks to an expected average price point of $2,400.”
“The launch of Apple’s first foldable iPhone will mark a turning point for the foldable segment,” said Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of client devices at IDC, in a statement. “This move is likely to boost category awareness and drive consumer interest. Apple tends to be a catalyst for mainstream adoption of new categories. Although foldables will continue to be a niche segment from a volume perspective, it will become a relevant value driver for most vendors offering foldables, as average selling prices will be 3 times higher than a standard smartphone.”
As consumers keep their smartphones for longer, driving replacement cycles have become increasingly difficult for vendors. Foldables and even tri-folds are becoming critical for an industry that has plateaued and needs meaningful innovation to motivate upgrades and drive value. The foldables category is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17% through 2029, compared with less than 1% for the traditional smartphone segment.
MacDailyNews Take: It’s too early to make even semi-accurate predictions without knowing Apple’s foldable iPhone specs and pricing.
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 IDC: Worldwide foldable smartphone market to grow 30% YoY in 2026, boosted by Apple’s foldable iPhone appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Steve Wozniak’s quirky 30-year tradition: Paying with his own custom $2 bills
Apple co-founder Steve “Woz” Wozniak, known for his inventive spirit and playful pranks, has maintained a delightfully eccentric habit for over three decades: using specially modified $2 bills as everyday currency. These rare notes, featuring perforated edges for easy tearing into sheets, stem from a bulk purchase Wozniak made long ago — not for counterfeiting, but purely for the joy of surprising cashiers and sparking conversations with his unconventional tender.
Charlotte Phillip for People:
Wozniak, 75, spoke about his quirky legal tender in a recently resurfaced 2011 interview with Engadget, during which he brought a pad of his custom bills on stage to show the audience.
“I got a printer in my hometown of Los Gatos, Calif., to make these pads for me,” he shared at the time. “I got them the supplies from a higher-quality printer, and they’re perforated so you can tear them off like Green Stamps.”
A close-up of the bills showed that they weren’t your average $2 bill, which features Thomas Jefferson and is made from cotton and linen. Instead, they’re stamped with his name, “WOZ.”
Wozniak doesn’t print these bills himself, as that would be illegal and is a federal crime. The tech co-founder instead orders real, uncut sheets of bills from the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and then works with the California print shop to bind them into pads. He then adds perforations so the bills can be easily torn from the sheet.
“They meet the specs of the U.S. government. So by law, these are legal tender, I have been spending them,” he told Engadget, adding, “You can get arrested for them, you cannot get convicted because you’re in the right.”
Here’s the video:
MacDailyNews Take: Woz being Woz.
Wonder how many of these bills are in circulation?
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 Steve Wozniak’s quirky 30-year tradition: Paying with his own custom $2 bills appeared first on MacDailyNews.
‘Pluribus’ is the most-watched show in Apple TV history
Via X, Apple TV has announced that “Pluribus” is the most-watched show in Apple TV history.
“Pluribus” is an original series in which the most miserable person on Earth must save the world from viral happiness. In addition to Rhea Seehorn, the series stars Karolina Wydra and Carlos Manuel Vesga, and guest stars Miriam Shor and Samba Schutte.
It's official, Carol.#Pluribus — Now Streaming pic.twitter.com/a7h3cfdIoq
— Apple TV (@AppleTV) December 12, 2025
It’s official, Carol.
“Pluribus” is the most-watched show in Apple TV history.
Congratulations, Carol.
MacDailyNews Take: Like Severance, Pluribus is for viewers with patience who have the ability to immerse themselves into and enjoy a single thing for 45-minutes to an hour. It’s not a “second screen” series.
“Pluribus” certainly deserves to be the most-watched show in Apple TV history (as do “Severance” and “Silo,” both of which we also highly recommend).
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 ‘Pluribus’ is the most-watched show in Apple TV history appeared first on MacDailyNews.