Apple News
Apple’s AirTag 2 four-pack hits record low of $89
Apple’s second-generation AirTag is currently available at its lowest price ever: $89 for a four-pack, down from the usual $99. The deal matches the previous all-time low first spotted during Amazon’s Prime Day event and remains one of the strongest discounts on the newer model.
A single AirTag 2 is also discounted to $27 (from $29). While that price isn’t quite as aggressive as some earlier promotions, it still ranks among the better current offers for buyers who only need one unit.
The AirTag 2 is a compact Bluetooth tracker that helps users locate everyday items like keys, wallets, bags, or luggage through Apple’s Find My network, showing the last known location on a map and enabling Lost Mode to lock the tag and display a custom contact message via NFC when found by someone else.
AirTag 2 offers Precision Finding with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip that provides directional arrows, distance readouts, and haptic/audio cues from up to 50% farther away (on compatible iPhone 15 or later models, excluding certain variants), plus the first-time ability to use this feature on Apple Watch Series 9 or later and Ultra 2 or later; an upgraded Bluetooth chip for expanded proximity range; a 50% louder speaker with a distinctive new chime that can be heard from twice as far; “Left Behind” alerts; sharing location access with family or friends; temporary secure sharing with airlines for luggage recovery; a user-replaceable CR2032 battery lasting over a year; IP67 water and dust resistance; and built-in privacy protections including frequent Bluetooth ID rotation and end-to-end encryption so only the owner can access location data.
MacDailyNews Take: Get ’em while they last here.
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Daily usage of Siri among iPhone owners is currently 17%; that will change – Gene Munster
According to Gene Munster, an X poll indicated that only about 17% of U.S. iPhone users engage with Siri on a daily basis, a notably low figure given that the average iPhone is interacted with more than 100 times per day. At present, Siri is primarily used for low-stakes tasks and is not widely trusted as a full assistant.
Munster anticipates that this will begin to change over the next year. A new version — Siri AI — will become available in the U.S. late this year through an iOS 27 update. In beta testing conducted over the past 20 days, the feature was observed to be slow; however, this drawback was more than offset by an AI assistant that simply works effectively.
Ultimately, Munster believes that increased use of Siri (which is central to Apple’s personalized AI) will form the foundation of the value proposition for Apple devices.
Gene Munster via GeneMunster.com:
We ran a simple one-question poll on X asking, “How often do you use Siri?” The poll drew 1,750 votes. The raw results showed daily Siri use at a low 17%, with 39% reporting they never use it. As a daily Siri user, these numbers caught my attention, underscoring the degree of brand damage the feature has endured over the past decade.
• Daily: 17%
• Weekly: 7%
• Rarely: 37%
• Never: 39%
The comments were more telling than the poll. Across 64 replies, the message was clear and expected: Siri survives as a basic utility or shortcut, not an assistant…
My takeaway: Siri today is, on average, not trusted. It works for a narrow set of commands where the cost of failure is low.
The question is, once Siri gets overhauled, will the 83% of users who question its utility give it another try? I believe the answer is yes.
MacDailyNews Take: We fully agree with Gene.
Siri AI no longer just marketing. The rebuilt architecture works in real life — helping with souvenirs for the kids, prepping for your day, or analyzing your breakfast — while staying firmly within responsible boundaries.
The old Siri is gone. The new Siri AI has arrived in a very promising way – and it’s still just in beta. Our little birdies — who’ve been telling for months that the new Siri not only works, but is actually pretty great — knew what they were talking about! – MacDailyNews, June 20, 2026
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Granola AI notepad launches on Apple Watch, bringing one-tap meeting notes to your wrist
AI note-taking startup Granola has expanded its popular meeting notepad to the Apple Watch, letting users capture and transcribe conversations with a single tap—no phone or laptop required.
The new watchOS app, which launched on July 28, 2026, targets in-person and on-the-go discussions such as walking one-on-ones, whiteboard brainstorms, and casual coffee chats. Users can start recording via a dedicated app or a watch face complication. The screen turns bright Granola green and plays a sound to confirm it’s listening. When the conversation ends, a second tap stops the recording; the audio syncs to the paired iPhone, where Granola’s AI processes it into structured notes complete with highlights, decisions, and action items. Those notes then appear across the user’s iPhone, Mac, or Windows devices.
The company designed the experience around the idea that “the best wearable is the one you’re already wearing.” Co-founder Chris Pedregal noted that the goal is to let people stay present in face-to-face meetings without pulling a phone from their pocket. Internal testing showed that once employees had access to the Watch app, a substantial portion of their mobile Granola usage shifted from iPhone to wrist.
Granola can record offline on the Watch; a connection is needed only when the audio syncs and notes are generated. The app also surfaces subtle haptic reminders for upcoming calendar meetings and works seamlessly with the existing iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Windows versions of Granola. It requires watchOS 11 or later and the latest Granola iPhone app. Installation is straightforward through the Watch app on iPhone if it doesn’t appear automatically.
The launch arrives as dedicated AI note-taking hardware (pins, pendants, and similar devices) has proliferated. Granola deliberately chose to build for an existing wearable rather than create new hardware. It also follows the company’s earlier unicorn milestone after a $125 million Series C led by Index Ventures.
To mark the release, Granola collaborated with London-based weaver Nowshin Prenon on a limited run of handwoven Apple Watch straps. The Watch app itself is free to download and use via the Granola iOS app.
With the Apple Watch increasingly positioned as an AI-friendly device, Granola’s arrival underscores growing interest in discreet, always-available capture tools that keep the focus on conversation rather than technology. Users can try it on their next in-person meeting simply by updating the iPhone app and installing the Watch companion.
MacDailyNews Take: More info about Granola for Apple Watch via Apple’s App Store here.
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Apple pledges support as wildfires ravage southern Europe
Apple’s outgoing CEO Tim Cook expressed solidarity with communities hit by the ongoing wildfires across southern Europe and confirmed the company will donate to on-the-ground relief efforts.
In a post on X late Wednesday, Cook wrote: “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in southern Europe. Thank you to the first responders, and to everyone still in harm’s way, please stay safe. Apple will be donating to relief efforts on the ground.”
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in southern Europe. Thank you to the first responders, and to everyone still in harm's way, please stay safe. Apple will be donating to relief efforts on the ground.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) July 30, 2026
The statement comes amid one of Europe’s most severe wildfire seasons in recent years. Intense heatwaves, dry vegetation, and strong winds have fueled major blazes in France, Spain, Greece, and other areas, burning hundreds of thousands of hectares, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate, and claiming lives including multiple firefighters.
In southwestern France, a large fire near Bordeaux has scorched around 42,000 hectares of pine forest, prompting the evacuation of roughly 220,000 residents and vacationers at its peak (with many later allowed to return as conditions eased somewhat). France has already recorded its highest wildfire-burned area in years, surpassing previous full-year totals with summer still underway.
Spain has faced its largest wildfire on record west of Madrid (in the Ávila region and surroundings), with total burned area across the country exceeding 200,000 hectares according to European data. Evacuations affected tens of thousands, and new outbreaks continued in provinces including Zamora, León, and Castellón.
In Greece, fires on Crete and elsewhere killed three firefighters and forced tourists and residents to flee, some by boat. Broader European Forest Fire Information System figures show far-above-average burned area and number of fires so far in 2026, driven by successive heatwaves that have left vegetation highly flammable.
Cook’s message follows Apple’s established pattern of offering financial support after major disasters without publicly disclosing exact donation amounts. Similar statements and aid have been issued after other recent crises.
MacDailyNews Note: As temperatures remain elevated and fire weather risks persist (particularly shifting eastward toward Italy and Greece in coming weeks) emergency crews continue battling the blazes while residents and responders face ongoing threats. Apple’s planned contribution aims to assist those recovery and relief operations already underway.
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Apple’s earnings report puts its AI safety premium to the test
Apple has emerged as Wall Street’s preferred Big Tech refuge this year as investors grow wary of heavy artificial intelligence spending by rivals. The company’s fiscal third quarter results, due after the market close on Thursday, will show whether that status can endure.
According to Bloomberg News’ Ryan Vlastelica, Apple’s shares have surged 17% in July and are on track for their strongest monthly performance in four years. The stock has climbed 24% in 2026, far outpacing the rest of the Magnificent Seven technology giants. Apple has also repeatedly crossed a $5 trillion market capitalization in recent sessions, reclaiming the title of the world’s most valuable publicly traded company and joining Nvidia Corp. as the only firms to reach that milestone.
The rally reflects a broader shift. Investors have rotated away from companies pouring tens or hundreds of billions of dollars into AI data centers and infrastructure, favoring Apple’s more restrained approach. The company has kept capital expenditures relatively modest (far below the outlays of peers such as Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon) while still integrating AI features, often by partnering with others including Google for underlying technology. That stance has positioned Apple as a lower-risk “AI safety play” with strong cash flow, substantial buybacks and pricing power.
Yet Thursday’s report, to be released after the closing bell, could highlight remaining challenges. Analysts will scrutinize iPhone demand following the iPhone 17 cycle, the impact of elevated memory chip costs on margins, the sustainability of a rebound in China, and any updates on Apple Intelligence and a more capable Siri. Consensus expectations call for revenue of roughly $109 billion and earnings per share near $1.89. The call will also mark Tim Cook’s final earnings appearance as chief executive before John Ternus assumes the role on September 1.
As Vlastelica noted in coverage of AAPL stock’s recent strength, the same caution that has made Apple a market leader this year also leaves it playing catch-up on advanced AI capabilities. Strong results and confident guidance could reinforce the safety narrative; any signs of slower hardware momentum or lingering AI execution gaps risk testing investors’ newfound enthusiasm.
MacDailyNews Take: As always, it’s Apple’s guidance that will drive the stock after its earning report.
MacDailyNews Note: As usual, we’ll have Apple’s earnings results for you as soon as they are released on Thursday, July 30th right around 4:30pm EDT / 1:30pm PDT. We’ll follow that with live notes from Apple’s conference call with analysts starting at 5:00pm EDT / 2:00pm PDT.
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Berkshire Hathaway still holds $60 billion in Apple shares — and the stake keeps quietly growing
Despite heavy – and rather ill-timed – selling that reduced Berkshire Hathaway’s Apple position and sparked talk of a shift under new CEO Greg Abel, the tech giant remains the conglomerate’s largest equity holding by far. At roughly 228 million shares worth about $60 billion (around 22% of the stock portfolio), Apple continues to deliver dividends, massive unrealized gains, and a subtle ownership boost from the company’s relentless share buybacks—showing the trim was about risk management, not a loss of conviction.
Micah Zimmerman for The Motley Fool:
Berkshire also sits on an enormous unrealized gain, since Berkshire’s cost basis is a fraction of today’s price, and the shares throws off a steady stream of dividends every year. Whatever the trimming implied, Apple is not a relic in this portfolio. It is the foundation.
Here’s the part that caught my eye. Apple spends tens of billions of dollars a year buying back its own stock, steadily shrinking the number of shares in circulation. That matters for Berkshire in a subtle but powerful way. Because the total share count keeps falling, Berkshire’s ownership percentage of Apple slowly rises even though it hasn’t bought a single new share. Its claim on Apple’s future profits quietly grows on autopilot.
Buffett has praised exactly this dynamic for years, calling it one of the reasons he loved the investment. He once compared it to your ownership of a business rising simply because your partners keep buying each other out. It means Apple keeps working for Berkshire in the background, compounding its stake without any action at all.
It is tempting to read the share sales as Berkshire’s loss of faith. I would read them differently. Apple’s position had grown so large that, at one point, it was worth more than everything else in the equity portfolio combined, a level of concentration that made even [Warren] Buffett uncomfortable. Trimming was about managing risk and locking in enormous gains at a rich valuation, not abandoning the thesis. Choosing to keep roughly $60 billion in Apple, rather than exiting entirely, is a statement of enduring conviction under Abel, not a goodbye.
MacDailyNews Take: The two most beautiful words in the English language: passive income.
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Qualcomm forecasts weak quarterly profit, sees faster drop in Apple revenue
Qualcomm forecast fourth-quarter profit below Wall Street estimates on Wednesday and said revenue from Apple products would decline faster than expected as supply constraints and rising costs weighed on its business.
In an interview with Reuters, CEO Cristiano Amon said costs had risen not just for memory chips, but across the supply chain. Qualcomm plans to raise prices starting September 1 in an effort to return its margins to historical levels, he said.“We’re just passing through big cost increases that we have,” Amon said, noting that Qualcomm will have to negotiate with each customer. “The temporary disconnect between cost and pricing causes a slight decline temporarily in gross margin.”
Qualcomm also said it expects revenue from Apple products to decline more quickly starting in the fourth quarter as supply constraints reduce its share of components used in the next iPhone launch to well below its earlier estimate of 20%.
“It’s availability of supply,” Amon told Reuters of the Apple share change.For fiscal 2027, the company expects the majority of its chip sales will come from categories other than smartphones.
“We kind of replaced Apple with the data center,” Amon said.Qualcomm expects adjusted profit to be between $2.05 and $2.25 per share in the fourth quarter, below analysts’ average estimate of $2.36, according to data compiled by LSEG. It forecast revenue of between $9.7 billion and $10.5 billion during the period, compared with estimates of $10.02 billion.
Revenue in its chip segment is expected to be between $8.4 billion and $9 billion, while analysts were expecting $8.49 billion.
Qualcomm reiterated that revenue from Chinese phone makers bottomed out in the third quarter as customers worked through excess inventory. Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo posted the steepest shipment declines among the top five global smartphone vendors in the June quarter, according to Counterpoint Research.
While unit sales of Android phones began to recover, Amon said handset makers were forced to raise prices, which in turn prompted buyers to look toward the bottom end of the premium phone segment, or even at older models, both of which hurt Qualcomm margins.“There was a mix change versus what we expected,” Amon said.
Qualcomm’s broad exposure to devices such as smartphones makes its results a closely watched indicator of demand trends across consumer electronics.
MacDailyNews Note: Its third-quarter revenue fell 4% to $9.95 billion, beating estimates of $9.67 billion. Adjusted profit came in at $2.21 per share, compared with estimates of $2.23.
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Tim Cook and John Ternus discuss CEO transition and Apple TV’s legacy and future
Apple’s Tim Cook and incoming CEO John Ternus stepped onto the red carpet together at the Ted Lasso Season 4 premiere, matching in navy suits and “Believe” pins while reflecting on a smooth leadership handoff and the bright future of Apple TV.
In a joint interview with Deadline, Cook expressed excitement over Apple TV’s record 89 Emmy nominations, while Ternus shared his enthusiasm for the show’s return and the momentum behind Apple’s content slate.
Nellie Andreeva for Deadline:
“We’ve been at it for seven years, and it feels like every year is better than the year before,” Cook said. “Now we’ve really hit our stride, and I couldn’t be more excited about where we’re going. We have 89 Emmy nominations, we’re so excited. I hope you’re watching Widow’s Bay, it’s a terrific show, and now tonight to bring Ted Lasso back, it’s marvelous.”
Cook announced his pending departure as CEO in April.
Turns out Ternus is a Ted Lasso fan too.
“I love Ted Lasso, I am so excited to have all the characters back, to have the story back,” he said. “It’s just such an amazing story, such an amazing message of optimism and hope and believe.”
As Ternus prepares to lead Apple, what ideas does he have for the company’s streaming service? Is he planning to make some changes? As a big racing fan, adding more racing, perhaps, to Apple TV’s Formula 1 coverage?
“I am just so excited about the momentum we have,” he said. “There’s so much great content on Apple TV, and now is just the perfect time for us to keep the momentum up, keep bringing in incredible storytellers and creative folks to keep making it better.”
“This year’s been amazing with Pluribus and Widows Bay. Right now, I’m watching Silo and Lucky,” Ternus said.
Added Cook, “I love Severance, I can’t wait for it to come back. I’m watching Widow’s Bay, as I mentioned. I love Pluribus. Silo is fantastic,” Cook said.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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Apple TV announces ‘Silo’ season 4 is coming summer 2027
Apple TV has officially confirmed that the fourth and final season of its acclaimed dystopian sci-fi series “Silo” will premiere in summer 2027. The announcement came during the streamer’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con over the weekend, giving fans a clear timeline for the conclusion of the story adapted from Hugh Howey’s bestselling trilogy.
The official word arrived via Apple TV’s X account on July 25, 2026, The post includes a promotional video teasing the end of the saga:
The end is near.
The fourth and final season of #Silo premieres summer 2027. pic.twitter.com/j4vhyf27xM
— Apple TV (@AppleTV) July 25, 2026
“Silo” follows the last remnants of humanity living in a massive underground bunker, protected from a toxic outside world they barely understand. Starring and executive produced by Rebecca Ferguson as engineer Juliette Nichols, the series has built a dedicated following with its tense mysteries, intricate world-building, and strong ensemble cast that includes Common, Tim Robbins, Harriet Walter, and others.
Season 3, which premiered on July 3, 2026, is currently airing weekly on Apple TV, with new episodes dropping every Friday through September 4th. That season expands the story with an origin narrative set centuries earlier while advancing the present-day plot.
Importantly, Seasons 3 and 4 were filmed largely back-to-back after Apple renewed the show for both installments in late 2024. Production on the final season wrapped earlier this year. Season 4 is expected to adapt the concluding novel Dust, wrapping up the major unanswered questions about the silos and humanity’s fate.
Showrunner Graham Yost has emphasized the value of knowing the full arc in advance, allowing the creative team to deliver a satisfying conclusion without the uncertainty that often plagues streaming series. With Season 3 still unfolding and Season 4 locked in for next summer, the wait between the final two chapters will be relatively short by modern prestige TV standards.
Fans can continue catching up on or following Season 3 on Apple TV right now. The series has earned strong critical praise across its run for its thoughtful exploration of power, truth, and survival in a closed society. When Season 4 arrives in summer 2027, it will mark the definitive end of the “Silo” series, and the larger story of the silos.
MacDailyNews Take: Here’s to timely annual streaming TV seasons!
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What’s new in tvOS 26.6 and HomePod 26.6
Apple released tvOS 26.6 and HomePod Software 26.6 on July 27, 2026, as part of a broader wave of point updates that also included iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6, macOS Tahoe 26.6, watchOS 26.6, and visionOS 26.6.
These are maintenance releases rather than feature-packed upgrades. With the major tvOS 27 and HomePod Software 27 updates already in beta and expected in the fall, Apple focused the 26.6 cycle on under-the-hood refinements: bug fixes, performance and stability improvements, and a substantial set of security patches. No significant new user-facing features were identified during the beta period for either platform.
tvOS 26.6
tvOS 26.6 is available for the Apple TV HD and all Apple TV 4K models. It arrives roughly two months after tvOS 26.5 and continues the pattern of incremental polish for the 26 series, which introduced the Liquid Glass design language and other enhancements in fall 2025.
Apple’s developer release notes highlight only a small number of resolved issues (such as specific HealthKit statistics query problems and StoreKit testing behavior in the simulator). The public-facing emphasis is on general reliability and security. The security content document lists dozens of fixes across frameworks including Accounts, App Store, Kernel, CoreAudio, ImageIO, and others—addressing potential issues like user fingerprinting, data access, denial-of-service conditions, and memory corruption.
Notably, tvOS 27 is expected to drop support for the Apple TV HD and the first-generation Apple TV 4K. Owners of those models will remain on the tvOS 26.x line (including future minor updates after 26.6) for as long as Apple continues to support them.
How to update:
On your Apple TV, open Settings > System > Software Update. Devices with automatic updates enabled should receive it without manual intervention.
HomePod Software 26.6
HomePod Software 26.6 (build 23L773) rolls out to the original HomePod, HomePod mini, and later models. Like the concurrent tvOS release, it carries no new headline features. Apple has not published detailed public release notes beyond the standard language of performance and stability improvements, which has been typical for most 26.x point releases after the initial HomePod Software 26 launch (that version added Crossfade for Apple Music and AirPlay refinements).
The update shares the same late-cycle focus on reliability and security hardening as the rest of the 26.6 family. It is installed automatically on most HomePods unless the feature has been disabled; manual installation is available through the Home app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac (Home Settings > Software Update).
These releases represent the late-stage maintenance phase of the 26-generation operating systems. Engineering attention has largely shifted to the 27 series unveiled at WWDC 2026, which is currently in public beta and slated for a fall launch. That upcoming generation is expected to bring more substantial changes, including further Siri and Apple Intelligence integration (particularly relevant for future HomePod and Apple TV hardware) and other refinements.
MacDailyNews Take: Both tvOS 26.6 and HomePod Software 26.6 deliver a quieter, but useful round of fixes and security updates. Installing them keeps your Apple TV and HomePod devices running smoothly and better protected while the bigger fall upgrades take shape.
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What Wall Street expects from Apple’s Q3 earnings on Thursday
Apple is scheduled to report fiscal third-quarter 2026 results (the June quarter) after the market close on Thursday, July 30th, followed by its usual conference call. The release carries extra weight: it is expected to be Tim Cook’s final earnings call as CEO before hardware engineering chief John Ternus assumes the role on September 1, with Cook moving to executive chairman.
Consensus Estimates
Wall Street is looking for solid double-digit growth. Consensus forecasts (drawn from roughly 27–31 analysts) call for:
• Revenue of approximately $108.9 billion, up about 16% from $94.0 billion a year earlier.
• Diluted EPS of $1.89, up roughly 20% from $1.57 in the year-ago quarter.
These figures sit comfortably inside management’s prior guidance of 14–17% year-over-year revenue growth and a gross margin range of 47.5–48.5% (down from 49.3% in the March quarter as higher memory costs begin to weigh). Operating expenses are expected in the $18.8–$19.1 billion range.
Zacks consensus is nearly identical at $108.8 billion in sales and $1.88 EPS. Apple has beaten estimates in recent quarters, with an average earnings surprise of more than 7% over the past four reports.
Segment Expectations
• iPhone remains the primary driver. Analysts project iPhone revenue near $53 billion (some estimates range $53–$55 billion), representing roughly 19–23% growth from $44.6 billion last year, fueled by the iPhone 17 cycle, healthy upgrade activity, share gains, and a richer mix of higher-priced Pro models.
• Services, Apple’s high-margin growth engine, is expected around $31.4 billion, up from $27.4 billion a year earlier (mid-teens percentage growth). Investors will watch for any commentary on Apple Intelligence adoption and subscription momentum.
• Mac, iPad, and Wearables are expected to contribute more modestly, with some notes of supply constraints on certain Mac models.
Analyst Views
Several firms are slightly ahead of consensus. Goldman Sachs expects revenue of $110.1 billion (17% growth) and EPS of $1.93, citing outperformance in iPhone and Mac plus better margins; the firm raised its price target to $370. Bank of America models about $109 billion in revenue and $1.89 EPS. UBS is more cautious at $107.8 billion revenue and $1.84 EPS.
Key focus areas on the call are expected to include:
• Sustainability of iPhone demand into the September quarter and the upcoming product cycle.
• Gross-margin trajectory amid elevated DRAM and NAND costs.
• Progress on AI features (including the recent clearance for Apple Intelligence in Greater China) and any early metrics on usage or monetization.
• Forward guidance, especially for the September quarter, and any color on the leadership transition.
• Capital return, inventory levels, and China trends.
Apple stock has rallied strongly in 2026 (up roughly 24% year-to-date in some tallies), leaving the shares trading at a premium valuation — near 35–38 times forward earnings by some measures. That leaves limited room for disappointment. A clean beat paired with confident guidance on continued double-digit growth and stable margins would likely be well received; any soft outlook or sharper-than-expected margin pressure could prompt a more cautious reaction.
MacDailyNews Take: In a nutshell, analysts expect another strong quarter driven by iPhone and Services, but the real test will be whether Apple can sustain the momentum while navigating higher component costs as new CEO John Ternus, blessedly a product guy per se, prepares to take the reins. Apple Upgrade should help in this respect.
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Apple-led foreign phone shipments in China jump 66% in June as overall market shrinks
Shipments of foreign-branded smartphones in China, overwhelmingly dominated by Apple’s iPhones, surged 66.3% year-on-year to 3.28 million units in June, according to Reuters calculations based on data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT).
Apple is by far the largest foreign brand in the Chinese market, routinely accounting for the bulk of non-domestic shipments. Other foreign makers, such as Samsung, hold only a negligible share. As a result, the CAICT’s “foreign-branded” category is widely viewed by analysts as a close proxy for iPhone performance.
The sharp rebound for foreign (mainly Apple) devices came even as the broader Chinese smartphone market continued to contract. Total phone shipments within China fell 15.3% from a year earlier to 19.15 million handsets in June, the government-affiliated research body reported on Wednesday.
The figures underscore a clear divergence in the world’s largest smartphone market. While overall demand remains soft amid economic pressures and longer upgrade cycles, Apple has been gaining ground relative to many domestic Android rivals. In the second quarter of 2026, Apple was one of only two major brands (alongside Huawei) to post shipment growth, lifting its market share to roughly 18%.
CAICT’s monthly data is closely tracked as an early signal of consumer demand and brand momentum in China. The June results suggest that premium foreign devices, led by Apple’s iPhone, continue to outperform the wider market even as total volumes stay under pressure.
MacDailyNews Take: We can hardly wait for Apple to release its June quarter earnings results tomorrow!
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Apple poised for strongest June-quarter sales growth in five years
Apple is on track for its strongest June-quarter sales growth in five years after holding iPhone prices steady amid rising component costs, according to Reuters reporting. Investors, however, will be watching closely for signals on how long the company can avoid price increases on its flagship product.
Reuters reported that the consumer electronics giant raised prices on iPads and MacBooks last month to offset higher costs from a shortage of memory and storage chips driven by massive AI datacenter buildouts. It spared iPhones, even as rival smartphone makers passed on those costs, contributing to a decline in global smartphone shipments in the April-June quarter to the lowest level in 13 years.The strategy appears to have paid off. iPhone shipments rose 3% and Apple’s market share climbed to nearly a fifth, according to estimates from research firm Counterpoint cited by Reuters. Combined with the fact that Apple has not spent hundreds of billions of dollars on data centers, this helped the company reclaim the title of the world’s most valuable company from Nvidia after two years, as doubts about the AI boom grow.
Apple shares, up nearly 25% so far this year, briefly pushed the company’s market value above $5 trillion for the first time on Tuesday and have widely outperformed the rest of the stocks among the “Magnificent Seven.”
“Apple was initially scorned by many investors for not joining the AI investment cycle. Now, it is actually being rewarded as investors question the relationship between (Big Tech’s) spending and return on investment,” said Dan Morgan, portfolio manager at Synovus Trust, which owns Apple shares, according to Reuters.
Last week, Alphabet stunned investors with a negative free cash flow for the first time in its history, Reuters noted. Morgan said he expects Apple to increase prices later this year, which could dampen demand and put pressure on a company whose high valuation does not leave “a lot of room for error.”
Analysts expect Apple to raise prices when it releases its next iPhone series, typically in September. Earlier this month, the company raised the price of Apple Music and Apple One, a subscription bundle for multiple Apple services, Reuters reported.
According to LSEG data cited by Reuters, Apple is expected to report that revenue rose 15.5% to $108.65 billion in the April-June period, its fiscal third quarter. That is slightly slower than the previous three months but marks the strongest third-quarter sales growth since 2021. Profit growth is expected to slow slightly to 18.1% as gross margin slips to 47.9% from 49.3% in the previous quarter.
Some analysts said the popularity of Apple’s devices and its strong ecosystem is likely to stave off any major demand hit for iPhones from price hikes, which could protect margins.“Apple’s core product demand has been somewhat inelastic, with iPhone being the most inelastic product within Apple’s product ecosystem, followed by Mac and then iPad,” Morgan Stanley analysts said. “This generally means that recent price increases are unlikely to materially disrupt demand, especially considering supply challenges at peers.”
iPhone sales likely increased 20.8% in the period, also marking the strongest third-quarter growth since 2021, Reuters reported. Mac revenue growth is expected to improve to 8.7% from 5.7% in the previous quarter despite the price increase, while iPad sales are expected to slow slightly to 5.2% from 8% in the second quarter.
MacDailyNews Note: As usual, we’ll have Apple’s earnings results for you as soon as they are released on Thursday, July 30th right around 4:30pm EDT / 1:30pm PDT. We’ll follow that with live notes from Apple’s conference call with analysts starting at 5:00pm EDT / 2:00pm PDT.
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No, Apple won’t turn on any ‘restricted mode’ for missed lease payments
Apple will not limit the functionality of devices enrolled in its new Upgrade leasing program if customers miss payments or default on the agreement. In an emailed statement to The Verge, Apple spokesperson Brian Bumbery said: “There will be no restricted mode and/or there will be no limitations put on device functionality due to missed payments or default with the Apple Upgrade program.”
The clarification follows reporting from 9to5Mac, which identified code in an iOS 27 beta referring to a new “App Managed Features” system. According to that reporting, the system would have allowed financial partners to perform ongoing status checks on a device and enabled Apple’s system services to place it into “Restricted Mode” if the owner was not in good financial standing. Restricted Mode, as described, would have blocked access to most apps while leaving core functions such as Phone, the App Store, Clock, Settings, and Wallet available.
Apple’s statement to The Verge directly addresses those concerns, stating that no such restrictions will be applied under the Upgrade program. The program itself allows customers to lease new iPhones, Macs, iPads, and other devices with the option to upgrade periodically.
The confirmation provides reassurance that leased devices will retain full functionality even in cases of missed payments, distinguishing the Upgrade program from any potential remote management features that had been observed in early iOS 27 code.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple has not explained to The Verge the intended purpose of Restricted Mode. One possibility is that the feature was built for financing programs run by carriers, retailers, or other partners outside the Apple Upgrade program—particularly in markets where device restrictions are already commonly used to enforce installment plans.
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What’s new in Apple’s iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6
Apple released iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 to the public on July 27, 2026. These are maintenance updates focused on stability, security, and quiet preparation for the major iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 releases expected this fall, rather than flashy new user-facing features.
Apple’s official release notes for both platforms are nearly identical: “This update includes bug fixes, security updates and optimizes the Spotlight index to prepare for iOS 27” (or iPadOS 27).
Spotlight index optimization for the next major release
The most significant change is largely invisible. iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 begin optimizing and re-indexing device data for Spotlight. This work is foundational for the overhauled Spotlight search and deeper Siri AI integration coming in the “27” generation, where search and on-device intelligence will be more tightly linked.
Early beta testers of the next major OS versions reported that full indexing could take a week or longer on devices with large amounts of data. By starting the process now, Apple aims to deliver a smoother upgrade experience in the fall, so the enhanced features are ready (or nearly ready) right after installation.
Security updates
The updates deliver a substantial security payload—more than 70–75 fixes across the two platforms. These address issues in areas including the kernel, MediaRemote (a path-handling vulnerability that could allow root privileges), WebKit, Accessibility (including protections related to iPhone Mirroring), Siri information disclosure, App Store, Game Center, and others.
Apple has also strengthened Apple Maps by introducing BlastDoor-style sandboxing (MapsBlastDoorSupport.framework and a dedicated service). This isolates potentially risky map data processing in a manner similar to iMessage’s security architecture, reducing the impact of any future vulnerabilities without changing how users interact with the app.
Other notable changes
• Blocked Contacts Limit Reached alert: iOS and iPadOS impose a limit on the number of blocked contacts (reported around 20,000). Previously there was little or no clear feedback when the limit was hit. The update adds an explicit alert that directs users to remove an existing blocked contact before adding another.
• Enterprise/managed device fix: Resolution for an issue where the DisableAssociationMACRandomization configuration key did not properly prevent changes to the Private Wi-Fi Address setting.
Various additional bug fixes for reliability and edge cases accumulated since earlier 26.x point releases.
No major interface redesigns, new apps, or high-profile user features were introduced. These point releases follow the pattern of later 26.x updates as Apple shifts primary development focus to the next major generation.
Availability and recommendation
iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 are available now via Settings > General > Software Update on compatible devices (generally iPhone 11 and later for iOS, and corresponding recent iPad models for iPadOS). They are widely viewed as the final significant point updates in the 26 series before the fall “27” launches.
MacDailyNews Note: Because of the large number of security patches and the proactive Spotlight preparation work, users are encouraged to install the updates promptly. Doing so improves current device security and positions devices for a cleaner transition to the upcoming major OS versions and their enhanced AI capabilities.
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Apple TV hosts the world premiere for the fourth season of ‘Ted Lasso’
Last night at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, Apple TV celebrated the world premiere of the upcoming fourth season of its Emmy Award-winning, juggernaut comedy “Ted Lasso.” Red carpet attendees included ensemble cast members Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Brendan Hunt, Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern and Grant Feely, alongside showrunner Jack Burditt and executive producers Bill Lawrence, Jeff Ingold, Jane Becker, Jamie Lee and Liza Katzer. “Ted Lasso” returns to the pitch for its highly anticipated fourth season on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, on Apple TV.
In season four, Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second-division women’s football team. Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would. The new season reunites fan favorites, including Emmy Award winner Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Emmy Award winner Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Jeremy Swift, alongside new additions Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern and Grant Feely.
The cast attends the world premiere celebrating season four of the beloved Apple TV series “Ted Lasso” at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on July 27, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. The new season of “Ted Lasso” premieres globally on Apple TV on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
“Ted Lasso” is executive produced by Jason Sudeikis alongside Hunt, Joe Kelly, Jane Becker, Jamie Lee and Bill Wrubel. Emmy Award winner Jack Burditt serves as executive producer on season four under a new overall deal with Apple TV. Goldstein serves as writer and executive producer alongside Leann Bowen. Sarah Walker and Phoebe Walsh serve as writers and producers for season four, and Sasha Garron serves as co-producer. Julia Lindon writes for season four, and Dylan Marron serves as story editor. Bill Lawrence executive produces via his Doozer Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. Doozer’s Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer also serve as executive producers. The series was developed by Sudeikis, Lawrence, Kelly and Hunt and is based on the preexisting format and characters from NBC Sports.
Following its global debut on Apple TV, “Ted Lasso” broke records and quickly earned praise from fans and critics all over the world. The first season became the most Emmy Award-nominated comedy series, and the series went on to land rare back-to-back Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series for its first two seasons.
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 852 wins and 3,804 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” global cultural phenomenon “Severance,” Apple’s most-viewed drama “Pluribus,” Academy Award Best Picture winner “CODA” and Academy Award winner “F1,” the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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Apple briefly hits $5 trillion market cap, becoming only the second company to reach the milestone
Apple’s market value briefly crossed the $5 trillion mark for the first time on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, making the iPhone maker only the second company in history to achieve that level after Nvidia.
Shares of Apple rose as high as $342.89 during the session, pushing its market capitalization to approximately $5.036 trillion. They later traded at $339.70, leaving the company valued at about $4.991 trillion.
The milestone comes just weeks after Apple reclaimed the title of the world’s most valuable company, overtaking Nvidia. The chipmaker had held the top spot since June 2025 and was the first firm ever to breach $5 trillion.
Apple’s strong performance this year has been fueled by solid demand for its products and a deliberate decision to stay largely on the sidelines of the costly artificial-intelligence infrastructure race that has pressured cash flows at many of its Big Tech peers. While the company has struggled to develop competitive in-house AI models, it has leaned on Google’s technology to power features such as an upgraded Siri, avoiding the heavy data-center investments that have made some investors cautious about returns.
Holding iPhone prices steady last month — while raising prices on MacBooks and iPads — has also supported demand, as consumers bought the flagship device ahead of expected future price increases. To further boost accessibility, Apple launched a U.S. device-leasing program on Tuesday in partnership with Klarna. Monthly payments start at $17.99 for an iPhone, $11.99 for an Apple Watch or iPad, and $24.99 for a Mac.
“Apple has resisted the AI spending race, betting that customer experience — not infrastructure investment — will ultimately determine the winners,” Dipanjan Chatterjee, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester, told Reuters. “The new leasing program is a clever response: it doesn’t reduce the price of an iPhone, but it changes how consumers perceive the cost by replacing sticker shock with a predictable monthly payment.”
Including Tuesday’s gains, Apple stock has climbed 24% year-to-date, outperforming the rest of the so-called Magnificent 7 technology stocks. The company is scheduled to report fiscal third-quarter results after the market close on Thursday, with analysts forecasting more than 15% year-over-year revenue growth.
MacDailyNews Note: As usual, we’ll have Apple’s earnings results for you as soon as they are released on Thursday, July 30th right around 4:30pm EDT / 1:30pm PDT. We’ll follow that with live notes from Apple’s conference call with analysts starting at 5:00pm EDT / 2:00pm PDT.
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Apple faces lawsuit over fake Bitcoin wallet left on App Store after massive losses
Apple is facing a new lawsuit accusing the company of allowing a fraudulent Bitcoin wallet app to remain on its App Store for more than a week after users reported significant losses.
According to the complaint, three individuals collectively lost approximately $1.84 million after downloading an app that impersonated the legitimate Sparrow Wallet. The victims entered their Bitcoin seed phrases into the fake application, enabling scammers to drain their funds. One plaintiff reported losing $875,000, while another lost $840,000; the delay in removing the app after the first report allegedly contributed to further losses.
The lawsuit claims Apple’s marketing and App Store presentation led users to believe applications available on the platform undergo careful vetting and are safe. Plaintiffs allege the company ranked the fraudulent app and even included it in curated cryptocurrency app collections alongside genuine Bitcoin wallets. The legal action accuses Apple of violating consumer-protection laws, engaging in fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation, and failing to adequately warn consumers about risks.
This is not the first time Apple has faced similar claims. In 2021, cryptocurrency holders sued the company over a fake wallet app scam; that case was ultimately dismissed by a federal judge.
Apple has stated that it has removed apps impersonating Sparrow Wallet from the App Store and terminated the associated developer accounts.
MacDailyNews Note: The plaintiffs are seeking reimbursement of the stolen assets along with compensatory and punitive damages.
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Incoming Apple CEO John Ternus vows to build on movie and TV momentum
Apple’s incoming CEO, hardware chief John Ternus, said he was committed to building on the company’s momentum in the entertainment business when he takes the helm of the company on September 1st.
The technology giant began offering original TV series and films through the Apple TV+ streaming app in 2019. The company found success with Oscar best picture winner “CODA,” box-office blockbuster “F1” and Emmy-winning shows such as “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso.”
Last year, Apple dropped the plus sign and renamed the service Apple TV.
“I think we have such tremendous momentum right now in Apple TV,” Ternus told Reuters on the red carpet at the premiere of the fourth season of “Ted Lasso.”
“There’s so many amazing shows, so many amazing characters and stories, and so we’re just going to keep building on the momentum,” Ternus said
Ternus stood next to outgoing CEO Tim Cook, who said he is sharing his insights about the entertainment business as part of the leadership transition.
“Our role is to be the best. That’s our lane,” Cook said of Apple’s entertainment strategy. “We’re not about the most. There are… other companies that do that. But we’re about the best, and I feel like we really hit our stride in providing that.”
Cook said Apple was open to future partnerships in the entertainment realm if the company feels it can bring a particular expertise. He pointed to the arrangement with the Formula 1 racing league.
For the Brad Pitt movie “F1,” Apple built custom cameras to help make audiences feel like they were inside a race car. F1 races are now shown exclusively on Apple TV in the United States, and the company provides leaderboards, updates and other coverage on Apple News and other apps.
“We’ll do things that we can bring something unique to, where we can innovate in a way that others might not be able to,” Cook said. “I feel like we’re really doing that with F1. We’re so excited about how we’re doing there and the viewership numbers that we’re getting. So more things like that would be possible.”
MacDailyNews Take: Everyone’s on the same page: Last month, senior Apple executive Eddy Cue told Reuters the company’s goal was to offer “better and more” TV shows and movies on Apple TV streaming and in theaters.
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Apple prepares major smart home push with new Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini, and Siri AI hub
Apple, long viewed as a laggard in the smart home market, is preparing a significant expansion into the category with a slate of new devices and software centered on an upgraded Siri AI assistant, according to Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman.
The company plans to begin this wave soon with a dedicated smart home hub built around the new Siri AI capabilities, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Apple is also readying a new Apple TV 4K set-top box and a refreshed HomePod mini, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the plans remain private.
The updated Apple TV and HomePod mini are expected to launch this fall, while the long-awaited smart home hub featuring a screen is targeted for release between the end of the year and early next year, Gurman reports.
The moves mark a notable acceleration in Apple’s home strategy after years of more limited offerings. The new hardware is designed to work with enhanced Siri AI features that promise improved conversational abilities and deeper integration across the Apple ecosystem.
MacDailyNews Take: We wish Apple would release some indoor and outdoor cameras, but, as we need them now, we’re going to have to go with some other company instead.
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