Apple News
Study links excessive infant screen time to altered brain development and teen anxiety
New research from Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) reveals that children with greater screen time exposure before age two exhibited alterations in brain development associated with delayed decision-making and elevated anxiety during adolescence, heightening worries over early digital media use. The research indicated that increased screen time in very young children correlated with “accelerated maturation of brain networks” involved in vision and cognitive control. The researchers suggested this may have been the result of “intense sensory stimulation that screens provide.”
Hallie Gu for Bloomberg News:
The study was conducted by a team within the country’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research and the National University of Singapore, and published in The Lancet’s eBioMedicine open access journal. It tracked 168 children for more than a decade, and conducted brain scans on them at three time points.
They found that screen time measured at ages three and four, however, did not show the same effects. Those children with “altered brain networks” took longer to make decisions when they were 8.5, and also had higher anxiety symptoms at age 13, the study said.
“These findings suggest that screen exposure in infancy may have effects that extend well beyond early childhood, shaping brain development and behavior years later,” the agency known as A*Star said in a press release on Tuesday.
A separate study by the same team in 2024 suggested that parents could help counteract some of the brain changes in young children caused by passive screen time by reading to them frequently and engaging more with them in person.
MacDailyNews Take: When asked in 2010 how his children liked Apple’s new iPad, Steve Jobs replied, “They haven’t used it. We limit how much technology our kids use at home.”
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Apple TV unveils trailer for season three of ‘Shrinking, starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford
Apple TV on Tuesday debuted the trailer for the upcoming third season of its beloved comedy, “Shrinking,” starring Emmy Award-nominee Jason Segel and multi-award winner Harrison Ford, along with acclaimed performances from stars Christa Miller, Emmy Award nominee Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Emmy Award nominee Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell and Ted McGinley. Created by Emmy Award-winners Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein alongside Segel, “Shrinking” season three will premiere globally with a one-hour season premiere episode on Wednesday, January 28 followed by one new episode weekly, every Wednesday until April 8, 2026 on Apple TV.
“Shrinking” follows a grieving therapist (Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives… including his own.
In addition to the ensemble cast, “Shrinking” season three brings back guest stars Goldstein, Damon Wayans Jr., Wendie Malick and Cobie Smulders, along with new additions Jeff Daniels and multi-award winner and activist Michael J. Fox.
“Shrinking” is produced for Apple TV by Warner Bros. Television, where Lawrence and Goldstein are under overall deals along with Lawrence’s Doozer Productions. Lawrence, Segel, Goldstein, Neil Goldman, James Ponsoldt, Jeff Ingold, Liza Katzer, Randall Winston, Rachna Fruchbom, Brian Gallivan, Ashley Nicole Black and Bill Posley executive produce.
“Shrinking” marks the third partnership for Apple, Lawrence and Warner Bros. Television, alongside the multi-Emmy Award-winning, global phenomenon “Ted Lasso,” and comedy series “Bad Monkey.” The series also marks the latest collaboration for Apple TV and Goldstein following the Apple Original Film “All of You,” which is now streaming globally on Apple TV. In addition to having previously collaborated with Apple TV in the starring role in Apple Original Films’ “The Sky is Everywhere,” Segel also serves as star, co-writer and producer of the upcoming Apple Original Film “Sponsor.”
The first two seasons of “Shrinking” are now streaming on Apple TV.
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 3,006 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning 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.
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Apple debuts new ‘Quit Quitting with Apple Watch’ ads to boost New Year’s fitness motivation
As 2025 draws to a close and millions gear up for 2026 New Year’s resolutions, Apple is rolling out a fresh series of motivational advertisements highlighting the Apple Watch as the ultimate tool to stick with fitness goals.
The campaign, centered on the theme “Quit quitting with Apple Watch,” features short, energetic spots shared across social media platforms and YouTube Shorts. In these ads, Apple Watch users are shown dramatically fleeing everyday temptations — a cozy bed, a comfortable recliner, and even a bar stool — symbolizing the urge to skip workouts or give in to laziness. The message is clear: Don’t give in to quitting.
Each ad showcases real-time features from the Workout app, including pace tracking, activity segment updates, and encouraging notifications when users close their Activity rings.
One spot points out a sobering fact: most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions by January 9th, often dubbed “Quitter’s Day.” Apple’s tagline, “Don’t Give In,” reinforces the idea that the Apple Watch provides the nudge needed to push past that slump.
This timely push aligns with Apple’s broader emphasis on health and fitness. As Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, has noted in the past, “A decade ago, we introduced Activity rings — and since then, Apple Watch has grown to offer an extensive set of features designed to empower every user… People write to us almost every day sharing how Apple Watch has made a difference in their life, from motivating them to move more throughout the day, to changing the trajectory of their health.”
Recent updates, like the AI-powered Workout Buddy in watchOS 26 (available on newer models such as Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3), take motivation further by delivering personalized, spoken encouragement during sessions based on heart rate, pace, and personal milestones.
Apple’s strategy taps into the post-holiday motivation surge, positioning the Apple Watch not just as a smartwatch, but as a committed fitness partner. With features like real-time metrics, customizable workouts, and seamless integration with Apple Fitness+, the device aims to help users “run right past Quitter’s Day” and build lasting habits.
MacDailyNews Take: Whether you’re resolving to run more, close those rings daily, or simply move a bit extra in 2026, Apple’s latest ads remind us: With Apple Watch, motivation is right on your wrist.
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Apple to appeal £1.5 billion UK ruling over ‘excessive’ App Store commissions
Apple is seeking to overturn a landmark £1.5 billion ruling by the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal, which found the tech giant abused its dominant position by overcharging millions of British customers through inflated App Store fees. The class-action lawsuit, brought by academic Dr Rachael Kent on behalf of around 36 million consumers who made purchases between 2015 and 2024, accuses Apple of imposing commissions of up to 30% on apps and in-app purchases—far above what the tribunal deemed fair (17.5% on apps and 10% on in-app transactions). Dismissing the verdict as flawed, Apple argues its App Store fosters a “thriving and competitive” ecosystem, but the case signals growing scrutiny on Big Tech’s “Apple tax” amid a wave of similar opt-out lawsuits targeting both Apple and Google.
Robert Booth for The Guardian:
“It’s definitely a tipping point,” said Dr Rachael Kent, an academic at King’s College London who won the £1.5bn case against Apple on behalf of 36 million UK consumers. “People are pushing back against the harms from digital worlds, which they have to be living in and through every day and the financial implications of that,” she said.
Kent added that the win in October still felt “a bit pinch me”. If Apple’s appeal fails, every person in the UK who made App Store purchases between 2015 and 2024 could be entitled to a payout.
Another of the cases is being brought by Barry Rodger, a law professor at the University of Strathclyde, on behalf of more than 2,000 app developers who he argues are collectively entitled to up to £1bn in compensation.
“Small and medium-sized app developer businesses have suffered as the result of excessive profiteering by the App Store and Google Play,” he said. His case alleges Google Play has charged “excessive, arbitrary and discriminatory commissions” against developers, with the makers of dating and games apps particularly affected.
MacDailyNews Take: Again, 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.
Behold the sheer terror of “inflated prices” brought on by Apple’s “excessive profiteering” — namely, daring to fund the App Store that serves more than 1.4 billion iOS and iPadOS users: a total of $3-$6 per every 50 apps, on average. How can any app consumer survive such abject gouging?!2
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.
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Apple exec’s note made ‘Pluribus’ season finale’s shocking last scene the bomb (spoilers)
In a revelation that flips the script on how we think about studio influence, Vince Gilligan and his team have disclosed that the jaw-dropping closing moment of Pluribus‘ first season — Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) casually having an atomic bomb delivered to her driveway — wasn’t part of the original plan. What began as a subtle, understated alliance between Carol and Manousos evolved into high-stakes nuclear brinkmanship thanks to a pivotal note from Apple and Sony executives.
Alan Sepinwall for The Ringer:
“We had a much subtler ending,” recalls [Gordon] Smith, who also directed the finale. “It was like a secret handshake between them, like her way of saying, ‘I’m with you.’”
But executives at Sony and Apple TV had a suggestion for [Alison] Tatlock and Smith’s boss, Pluribus creator Vince Gilligan: Maybe subtle isn’t the way to go at the end of the first season of such an ambitious, high-concept, globe-trotting sci-fi drama.
So team Pluribus dropped an atomic bomb on Carol’s driveway. Literally.
Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) tells Manousos Oviedo (Carlos-Manuel Vesga) what’s in the box in “Pluribus” S1E9.
To be fair, the bomb was dropped very gently, inside a secure crate, and has yet to explode. But simply placing a weapon of mass destruction in Carol’s possession drastically upped the stakes in her plan to save the human race from collective happiness. “It was a great note,” acknowledges Gilligan. And it wasn’t a cheat because the writers realized that Carol had already asked the Others if they would give her an atom bomb if she asked for one. As the great Russian playwright Anton Chekhov once said (I think), if your romantasy writer heroine asks whether she can have an atomic bomb in the first act of your season, then the planetary collective has to give her one by the end of your third act.
Never mind that this script change would require a helicopter to land in the cul-de-sac, which isn’t cheap — but, after all, Apple and Sony had already gone to the expense of letting Gilligan and his crew build the entire cul-de-sac from scratch so they could film whatever they wanted there without being at the mercy of cranky neighbors, lookie-loos, influencers, etc. If Pluribus needed a helicopter and a crate that would almost certainly be opened in a later season, then Gilligan’s corporate bosses were going to pay for it.
MacDailyNews Take: Unfortunately, when asked how long it might be until we see a second season, Gilligan told The Ringer, “‘Longer than I would care for it to be,’ (with a deep sigh), because the show takes a lot of time to get as precisely calibrated as his other shows — if not more, considering the scope of things. “It’s gonna be a while.”
Hopefully not as long as the wait between seasons one and two of Severance*!
*The season 1 finale of Severance aired on April 8, 2022, and the season 2 premiere was released on January 17, 2025. That was a wait of 1,015 days, about 2 years and 9 months, due to production delays, including the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes.
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Apple free of U.S. tariffs on chips imported from China through June 2027
Apple has gained extra time to adjust to potential tariffs on chips imported from China, as any cost impact has been delayed until June 2027. Although the U.S. will impose new tariffs on semiconductor imports from China, the effective tariff rate will remain at zero for about 18 months, per a Federal Register filing. The rate will then increase starting June 23, 2027, with the exact percentage announced at least 30 days prior.
Hartley Charlton for MacRumors:
For Apple, the decision removes the near-term risk of higher import costs on a wide range of chips used across its products. While Apple designs its own A-series and M-series processors, which are manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in Taiwan, the company continues to rely on China-based suppliers for many other semiconductor components, including power management integrated circuits, display driver chips, connectivity controllers, and various supporting logic chips embedded throughout its devices. Many of those components would fall within the scope of the China-specific semiconductor tariff once the rate increases in 2027.
The decision to delay new tariffs for at least 18 months signals that the Trump administration is seeking to cool any trade hostilities between the U.S. and China.
Additional tariffs could also become a bargaining chip if future talks break down.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached a truce in the so-called trade war in October, as part of a deal that included the U.S. slashing some tariffs and China allowing exports of rare earth metals.
The tariffs are separate from other duties threatened by the Trump administration on Chinese chip imports under Section 232 of the law.
MacDailyNews Take: More clarity means more fuel for a booming economy on 2026!
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Tesla app code reveals potential Apple Car Key support
A teardown of Tesla mobile app version 4.52.0 has uncovered multiple code references to “Harmony Wallet Key Cards” These strings indicate Tesla is developing support for system-level digital car keys, starting with integration for Huawei’s HarmonyOS Wallet in China.
The references specifically target Huawei’s ecosystem, aligning with Tesla’s practice of testing new features in the Chinese market first. No direct mentions of Apple Wallet or Google Wallet appear in the code. However, the underlying architecture for Harmony Wallet keys mirrors the technology used for Apple’s Car Key feature, which stores keys in the iPhone’s Secure Enclave and supports Express Mode.
Tesla typically introduces features in the Chinese market first, so this could hint that Tesla plans to add native support for Apple and Android in the future.
This functionality, often referred to as a “native” car key, allows a phone to act as a secure key card (NFC) or proximity key (Bluetooth/UWB) without the Tesla app running in the background. It also enables additional features, such as Tap-to-Unlock and deeper system-level integration.
While Tap-to-Unlock is already available natively on Android devices, it is only available while your device is powered on. System-level integration would enable key use on iOS, even when the phone is powered off.
While Tesla’s proprietary Phone Key is generally reliable, it relies on the app running in the background, and can occasionally be killed or stalled by the phone’s OS to save battery.
A native wallet key would be the gold standard for digital vehicle access because it lives on a phone’s secure elements and works regardless of app state.
With the Harmony Wallet code now present in the app, it proves Tesla is capable and willing to build these integrations. The question remains: is this an exclusive push for China, or a sign that Apple and Google Wallet support is finally on the roadmap?
MacDailyNews Take: Last month, it was reported that Tesla is working to add Apple CarPlay to its vehicles, so additional support for Apple’s Car Key feature would make sense. Nobody cares about Android support, certainly not those in the market for a Tesla.
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[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
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Apple’s foldable book-style iPhone revealed in new leak
YouTuber Jon Prosser released a video on Christmas Eve, showcasing 3D renders and specifications of what he claims is Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone. This follows Apple’s lawsuit against Prosser in July 2025 for leaking details about iOS 26 and a feature called Liquid Glass.
In the video, Prosser presented the device as a book-style foldable. It features a 5.5-inch external display with a hole-punch camera and a 7.8-inch internal folding screen with a hole-punch camera in the upper left corner. The device measures 9mm thick when closed. It includes dual cameras on an oblong camera plateau and an LED flash on the opposite side. The design is described as wider than tall in both folded and unfolded states, with hole-punch camera placements.
D render claiming to depict Apple’s first foldable iPhone (image: Jon Prosser)
Prosser stated “screw it” in response to Apple’s legal actions and proceeded to share the information. He claims the foldable iPhone is scheduled for launch in fall 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The renders depict the device in detail, highlighting its foldable mechanism and screen configurations. Prosser’s leak provides early visuals and specs for the unreleased product, which Apple has not officially announced.
MacDailyNews Take: If true, those square corners will take some getting used to.
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from MacDailyNews!
Dear MacDailyNews readers and commenters,
Amidst the Christmas news slowdown, we can all look forward to 2026 which promises to bring more new Apple Silicon-powered Macs, new iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, tons of new Apple TV content, and so much more, including a newly revamped AI-powered LLM Siri!
The company is once again primed for its most successful year ever!
As we enjoy spending time with family and friends, we want to thank you so much for visiting MacDailyNews throughout the year and for making us a part of your day. We really appreciate it!
An extra special thanks to all of of those who contribute to our operations, and those who regularly send us links to interesting articles – you know who you are – thank you, thank you, thank you!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
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Apple agrees to allow third-party app stores on iOS in Brazil following antitrust settlement
Apple has reached a settlement with Brazil’s antitrust regulator, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), that will require the company to open its iOS ecosystem to third-party app stores and alternative payment systems in the country. The agreement, approved on December 23, 2025, resolves a three-year investigation into alleged anticompetitive practices surrounding the App Store.
The settlement stems from a complaint filed in 2022 by MercadoLibre, Latin America’s leading e-commerce platform, which accused Apple of abusing its dominant position in iOS app distribution. MercadoLibre argued that Apple’s policies—restricting apps to the official App Store and mandating the use of its in-app purchase (IAP) system—limited competition and imposed high commissions on developers.
Under the terms of the Termo de Compromisso de Cessação (TCC), or Commitment to Cease Term, Apple is obligated to:
• Enable alternative app distribution channels, allowing third-party app stores on iOS devices in Brazil.
• Permit developers to use third-party payment processors for in-app purchases, displayed side-by-side with Apple’s IAP system.
• Allow apps to promote external offers and direct users to transactions outside the app via links or buttons.
• Ensure any user notifications about these options are neutral and objective, without introducing barriers that hinder the user experience.
• Implement special safeguards for child users, developed in collaboration with CADE.
Apple has up to 105 days from the homologation date to implement these changes, potentially aligning with an upcoming iOS update in early 2026. The agreement lasts three years once the new terms become mandatory for developers, with potential extensions or reviews if pro-competitive goals are not met.
Failure to comply could result in fines of up to R$150 million (approximately $27 million), and the investigation could be reopened. Apple has also agreed to withdraw related litigation challenging earlier preventive measures imposed by CADE.
In a statement to 9to5Mac, Apple emphasized its commitment to compliance while expressing concerns: “In order to comply with regulatory demands from CADE, Apple is making changes that will impact iOS apps in Brazil. While these changes will open new privacy and security risks to users, we have worked to maintain protections against some threats, including keeping in place important safeguards for younger users. These safeguards will not eliminate every risk, but they will help ensure that iOS remains the best, most secure mobile platform available in Brazil and we will continue to advocate on behalf of users and developers.”
MercadoLibre acknowledged CADE’s efforts to address competitive issues but noted that the settlement “only partially addresses the needs of more balanced rules” in the mobile ecosystem.
This development places Brazil alongside the European Union, Japan, and South Korea as regions where Apple has been compelled to allow alternative app marketplaces and payment options due to regulatory pressure. It reflects a growing global trend of scrutiny on Big Tech platforms’ control over digital markets.
The changes are expected to benefit developers by reducing transaction costs and fostering innovation, while giving Brazilian iPhone users greater choice in app installation and payments. However, experts warn that sideloading and third-party stores could introduce risks like malware if not properly managed.
MacDailyNews Take: As one of the world’s fastest-growing app markets, Brazil’s decision could influence similar cases in other emerging economies. Apple continues to defend its ecosystem as essential for user privacy and security, but regulatory momentum worldwide suggests further openings may be on the horizon.
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