Apple News
UK tribunal greenlights $4 billion) class action lawsuit against Apple over iCloud ‘Lock-In’
The UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal has given the green light to a landmark collective lawsuit against Apple. The case, valued at approximately £3 billion (around $4 billion), accuses the tech giant of abusing its dominant market position with its iCloud storage service.
Consumer advocacy group Which? filed the claim in November 2024 and will represent nearly 40 million UK iCloud users who used the service between November 2018 and June 2026. The tribunal approved the collective proceedings order earlier in June 2026, rejecting Apple’s attempts to block parts of the case. A full trial is now expected in 2028.
The Allegations: Trapping Users and Stifling Competition
Which? argues that Apple has unfairly “trapped” iPhone and other device users into its iCloud ecosystem. According to the claim, Apple achieved this through:
• Technical restrictions on how certain files can be stored.
• Deep integration (tying) of iCloud with iOS devices.
• In-app prompts and system designs that steer users toward its own paid storage tiers.
These practices, the group says, have limited competition from rival cloud providers, weakened consumer choice, and driven up prices for storage.
Anabel Hoult, Chief Executive of Which?, stated: “Which? wants to make clear that no company, no matter how powerful, can get away with abusing its position.” The organization estimates that successful claimants could receive payouts of up to £77 per person.
Apple’s Position
Apple has previously rejected the allegations, emphasizing that customers are not required to use iCloud and that many opt for third-party alternatives. The company has indicated it will vigorously defend its practices. It did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on the tribunal’s latest decision.
Broader Context
This lawsuit is part of a growing wave of scrutiny on Apple’s ecosystem practices in the UK and Europe. It follows other high-profile cases involving the App Store and highlights ongoing debates about “walled gardens” in consumer technology. If successful, the case could force changes in how Apple handles cloud storage on its devices and set a precedent for similar actions elsewhere.UK consumers affected by the case (those who used iCloud on Apple devices in the UK during the relevant period) can likely find more details and opt-in/opt-out information via Which?’s dedicated claim site.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s approach has always been about delivering the best possible experience for its users: effortless syncing, end-to-end encryption by default, optimized performance across devices, and rock-solid privacy protections that competitors often treat as afterthoughts. Forcing Apple to hand over the same low-level access to third-party cloud services risks compromising exactly what customers love and pay a premium for — security, reliability, and simplicity.
This isn’t “anticompetitive” behavior; it’s Apple competing on the merits. The company invests billions in its infrastructure, develops proprietary technologies, and maintains strict standards to protect users from very real threats. Lowering those walls to satisfy regulators and rival cloud providers doesn’t create fair competition — it invites mediocrity and security risks into a platform renowned for excellence. Why should Apple be compelled to undermine its own product to prop up alternatives that users have already voted against with their wallets?
Seems like beleaguered Britain, which has been on an “Annual Prime Minister Plan” for the last decade, would rather engineer artificial parity through lawsuits and the threat of heavy-handed regulation than let the market reward innovation. Nothing says “vibrant economy” like a country that hasn’t produced a major global tech innovator in decades deciding to punish the one American company that actually does.
The real question Britain’s Competition Appeal Tribunal should ask: If third-party clouds are so great, why aren’t more users flocking to them voluntarily? Forcing integration won’t change the answer — it will only make great products worse – and very likely insecure – for everyone.
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Apple’s Eddy Cue and Jerry Bruckheimer dish on ‘F1’ sequel
In a conversation with producer Jerry Bruckheimer at the Cannes Lions festival, Apple’s Eddy Cue revealed that a sequel to the hit racing film F1 (starring Brad Pitt) is “hopefully” in the works, while sharing insights on Apple TV’s original-content-only approach, its early bets on creators like Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, and how Steve Jobs’ emphasis on storytelling continues to guide the company’s entertainment ambitions.
Bruckheimer kicked off the conversation by praising Cue and the Apple team. “I’m really excited because we’re going to come back and hopefully make another ‘F1,’” he said. Bruckheimer also has another movie project in the works with Apple about UFOs alongside producer Joseph Kosinski that he described as “kind of ‘All the President’s Men’ about what the government’s been hiding about UAPs [unidentified anomalous phenomena] all these years.” Said Bruckheimer: “It’s going to be a true story, and it’s going to be, I mean, mind-boggling.”
According to Cue, the way Apple operates today is still based on “the foundation beliefs” of Steve Jobs. “There’s no doubt, I think, that he’d be incredibly proud of the work that we’ve done in this area,” Cue said.
Cue recalled that early in his career, before Apple was even thinking about building its own entertainment studio, he once asked Steve Jobs — who was the CEO of Apple and Pixar at the same time — “Why is it that Pixar can always create one hit after another, and that doesn’t happen everywhere else?” Jobs’ comment was it’s “always about the story,” Cue said. “It begins and ends with the story. If you don’t have a story, you can’t have a great show, and that always resonated with me about the things that we’re trying to do.”
Cue proudly noted that Apple TV is now an EGOT winner, after the Broadway musical adaptation of original series “Schmigadoon!” won a Tony award. Apple earned the Oscar for best picture for its uplifting 2021 drama “CODA,” while it took home a Grammy for Chris Stapleton’s “Bad as I Used to Be” from “F1: The Movie.”
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 rolls out Developer Beta 2 for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, and HomePod Software 27
Apple has begun seeding the second developer beta for its upcoming 2026 operating systems. Registered developers can now download and install Beta 2 across the full lineup of platforms, bringing the first significant refinements since the initial betas launched at WWDC 2026.
What’s New in Developer Beta 2
While Apple hasn’t published full release notes yet, early reports from developers indicate the following highlights:
• iOS 27 & iPadOS 27
Further polishing of the redesigned home screen and Control Center, improved Apple Intelligence features (including on-device model performance), and refinements to multitasking on iPad. Battery life and thermal management also appear to have received attention.
• macOS Golden Gate
Named after the iconic San Francisco landmark, this year’s macOS update focuses heavily on continuity improvements between Mac and iPhone, enhanced window management, and deeper integration with the new Apple Intelligence suite. Beta 2 is said to address stability issues reported in Beta 1, particularly with Stage Manager and external display support.
• tvOS 27
Expect better support for spatial audio, faster navigation in the TV app, and new gaming features leveraging the latest Apple TV 4K hardware.
• visionOS 27
Significant updates for the Vision Pro ecosystem, including improved hand-tracking accuracy, new spatial computing productivity tools, and better integration with Mac virtual display capabilities.
• HomePod Software 27
Audio quality tweaks, smarter Siri responses, and expanded smart home automation features powered by the latest Apple Intelligence models.
How to Install Developer Beta 2
- Ensure you’re enrolled in the Apple Developer Program.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates on your device (or use the macOS Software Update preference pane).
- Select the “Developer Beta” channel.
- Download and install the new build.
What to Expect Next
Apple typically releases a new developer beta roughly every two weeks during the summer. A public beta of these operating systems is expected in July, with the final versions arriving in September/October 2026 alongside new hardware.
Developers are already sharing their first impressions on forums and social media, noting that Beta 2 feels noticeably more polished than the initial release. Performance and stability improvements appear to be the main focus at this stage.
MacDailyNews Note: These are still early developer previews. Expect bugs, reduced battery life, and possible compatibility issues with third-party apps. Apple strongly recommends installing betas only on secondary devices.
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Apple approves Samsung Display for OLED panel production for foldable iPhone
Apple’s long-rumored foldable smartphone is one step closer to reality. On June 22, industry sources confirmed that Samsung Display has officially begun production of OLED modules for Apple’s inaugural foldable device after receiving full manufacturing approval, TheElec reports.
Yield Breakthrough Opens the Door
Samsung Display reportedly cleared Apple’s strict qualification process after achieving final yields above 80% at its Vietnam facility. Apple’s module production approval typically requires at least 70% yield, along with proven assembly quality, performance, and mass-production stability. Samsung Display exceeded that bar.
The company has already started operating a portion of its back-end production lines in Vietnam to fulfill an initial order of approximately 3 million foldable OLED panels scheduled for delivery this year.
MacDailyNews Note: Samsung Display is the exclusive supplier of foldable OLED panels for Apple’s first foldable iPhone under a three-year agreement during which Apple will not source foldable displays from any other manufacturer.
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Pound for pound, Apple TV is probably the best streamer in the game – The Guardian (‘Sugar’ season two review)
Apple TV’s “Sugar” is a contemporary, unique take on one of the most popular and significant genres in literary, motion picture and television history: the private detective story. Academy Award nominee Colin Farrell stars as John Sugar, an American private investigator on the heels of the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the beloved granddaughter of legendary Hollywood producer Jonathan Siegel. As Sugar tries to determine what happened to Olivia, he will also unearth Siegel family secrets; some very recent, others long-buried.
Jack Seale for The Guardian:
Each episode of this PI drama’s second season is a half-hour haze suffused with melancholy and distressed urban beauty. It’s the kind of show that could only exist on Apple TV.
Getting a TV show made isn’t easy. OK, so you’ve got an interesting idea and some good scripts – but a network or streaming platform will have many further questions. How much will it cost to make, which age/demographic will enjoy it, can it be distilled in a grabby one-line summary, could it recoup investment by running to multiple seasons? Nobody’s going to take a punt on your kooky pet project and risk losing money.
At least that’s the theory, but Apple TV seems happy to commission shows having ticked none of the above boxes. Pound for pound – that is, ignoring the overwhelming volume of Netflix shows – it’s probably the best streamer in the game, having gambled and won on Severance, Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, The Studio, For All Mankind, and Widow’s Bay. But it also has a stable of oddball charmers that work in a moseying sort of way – Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed and Margo’s Got Money Troubles being two recent ones – and a slew of baffling misfires like Government Cheese and Hello Tomorrow! that have popped up, done a thing nobody understood and disappeared again. You don’t know what you’ll get with a new Apple show, but it’s likely to be something nobody else would green-light, and they’d often be right…
John Sugar not being human is just another way in which he’s a disconnected observer of a city where everyone’s disconnected from each other, but it does give the show another layer to its audiovisual collage: as well as the film excerpts, we can now cut to soothing shots of cerulean galaxies, while the narration has progressed from gnomic to cosmic. “Everything comes to an end,” muses Farrell, as nothing of note happens. “Sooner than you think, sometimes. From the side suns on Andromeda to the terramorphs on Paloma, everything dies.” Bogie never got lines like that.
We are lost in another luxurious Apple labyrinth, but not unhappily so. Every moment of Sugar is divine to look at, while the concept of the protagonist’s main superpowers being weary kindness and naive sweetness, despite his alien biology affording him actual superpowers, continues to bewilder and amuse. Each episode is a half-hour haze suffused with Sugar’s sad, sleepy vibe. This show could only be on Apple – it’s another world in there.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple TV is the best streamer. Anyone who thinks they watch the best streaming TV without an Apple TV subscription are kidding themselves.
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Apple’s FY27 growth gets a pricing lift, while staggered iPhones mostly add noise – Gene Munster
In a new analysis, longtime Apple analyst Gene Munster breaks down two key updates: Tim Cook’s confirmation of unavoidable price hikes due to rising memory costs, and reports that Apple will split next year’s iPhone releases between fall (Pro, Pro Max, and foldable models) and spring. The pricing adjustments are expected to add roughly 3% to FY27 revenue growth and help keep gross margins near recent highs around 49%, while the timing shifts and new foldable should support stronger iPhone momentum overall.
Gene Munster for GeneMunster.com:
Cook’s pricing comments are a rare example of Apple openly responding to a component cost environment. In the Wall Street Journal interview published after market close on June 17th, Cook said price increases are “unavoidable,” but did not detail which products will be affected. This follows his prior earnings call comment that it was still to be determined how Apple would navigate the higher memory cost environment.
The key takeaway is shares of AAPL traded up 0.5% after hours on the Journal report, which I believe accurate reflects the higher visibility investors have that FY27 gross margins will be essentially flat from the Mar’26 levels (49%) in FY27. Currently, the Street is expecting FY27 gross margins of 48%.
I estimate Apple will raise hardware prices by about 4% on average, which after factoring in Services, that translates to roughly a 3% lift to total FY27 revenue. In other words, current FY27 revenue growth expectations of around 8% likely move closer to 11% from pricing alone.
Bloomberg’s Gurman reported that Apple will launch the Pro, Pro Max, and new foldable iPhone this fall, while the iPhone 18 and second-generation iPhone Air are getting pushed into the the spring. That timing shift will move some demand between fiscal quarters. More importantly, Apple is finding another way to push consumers up the price curve. By releasing the highest-end phones first, Apple gives users a reason to pay up rather than wait. That is classic Apple: subtle product timing that improves mix by pushing some buyers who would normally upgrade to the new base iPhone in September to trade up into higher-end models in the fall.
The key point is investors should expect noisier quarterly iPhone growth, especially around the transition from the fall launch window to the spring launch window, but the change will have little impact on overall revenue in FY27…
I expect the foldable phone to launch in October at around a $2,200 average selling price, which compares to an overall average of about $875…
Assuming the foldable accounts for about 3% of total iPhone units, that would add roughly $9B in annual revenue, or add about 2% of incremental growth, after factoring in the cannibalization [of iPhone Pro Max buyers].
The Street is currently modeling FY27 iPhone growth around 6%. Between the impact of the timing of the staggered iPhone sales shifting from FY26 into FY27, stronger high-end mix, and the foldable contribution, I believe iPhone growth is more likely to land around 10%.
MacDailyNews Take: AAPL is cheap at ~$300 a share.
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Apple’s new CEO John Ternus faces a critical test: Revive iconic design while delivering a blockbuster 2027 roadmap
In the latest Power On newsletter from Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman, the spotlight is firmly on John Ternus, who will step into the role of Apple CEO on September 1, 2026, succeeding Tim Cook. Gurman argues that Ternus’s top priority should be nothing less than a full-scale revival of Apple’s once-legendary industrial design team — a group that has “lost its way” in the years since Jony Ive’s departure.
Why Design Needs a Shake-Up
Apple built its empire on products that didn’t just work beautifully — they looked and felt revolutionary. The iPhone, MacBook, and AirPods became cultural icons because design sat at the absolute center of decision-making. But according to the report, that influence has eroded:
• Key departures have hollowed out the team: Jony Ive left in 2019, followed by other leaders like Evans Hankey and Alan Dye (who joined Meta in late 2025).
• The industrial design organization no longer holds a true executive seat and reports through operations rather than driving strategy.
• Recent products, while solid, have been criticized for incrementalism rather than the “wow” factor that once defined Apple.
Ternus, a 25-year Apple veteran with deep hardware engineering roots (he previously oversaw the transition to Apple Silicon and the iPad Pro redesign), already has visibility into design. Gurman notes that Ternus has emphasized making Apple products “the most beautifully designed items customers own.” The incoming CEO now has the chance — and the mandate — to appoint fresh leadership, restore design’s strategic clout, and refocus the company on aesthetics alongside AI and functionality.
A Jam-Packed 2027: Apple’s Make-or-Break Year
The newsletter also dives into Apple’s ambitious 2027 product plans, which could give Ternus the perfect stage to prove design still matters. This lineup coincides with the iPhone’s 20th anniversary and looks set to be one of the most exciting hardware years in recent memory:
• Camera-equipped AirPods: Slated for late 2027, these AI-focused earbuds with built-in cameras represent a major push into always-on intelligent devices.
• Next-gen Foldable iPhone: A sequel to the first foldable model (expected earlier), aiming to refine the category.
• Twentieth Anniversary iPhone: A flagship “iPhone 20” or special edition model to celebrate two decades of the revolutionary device.
• Smart Glasses: Apple’s answer to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, potentially launching around the same timeframe.
This “flurry of new releases” signals Apple is betting big on wearables, foldables, and AI hardware — categories where standout design will be essential to stand out from competitors.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple remains financially dominant and technically strong, especially in AI with improvements to Siri and its ecosystem. But to reclaim the “cool” factor and drive the next decade of growth, design must once again become a north star. Ternus — a product person per se, unlike his predecessor — has the engineering chops and internal respect to pull this off. If he succeeds in rebuilding the design culture while executing on the 2027 roadmap, Apple could enter a new golden era!
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Mac-like recovery mode for iPhone and iPad coming in iOS 27
iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 bring a Mac-style recovery mode to iPhone and iPad, allowing devices to boot into a lightweight recovery environment without loading the full OS.
Similar to Apple silicon Macs, users can trigger it by powering off the device and holding the side button during startup. This opens a new screen with handy on-device options like Recovery Assistant, Software Update, Diagnostics Mode, Erase All Content and Settings, and Recovery Mode via Mac. It also shows battery percentage, auto-connects to known Wi-Fi, and lets you restart normally.
Hartley Charlton for MacRumors:
To use the feature, users must turn the device off, then hold the side button to power it on. The Apple logo appears as it would during a normal boot, but holding the button for an extended duration brings up a progress bar, and the device then launches into the new recovery environment rather than continuing into iOS or iPadOS as normal. The process mirrors how recovery mode is triggered on Apple silicon Macs by holding the power button.
The addition means some last-resort repairs that previously required connecting an iPhone or iPad to a computer can now be carried out independently on the device itself. Apple’s Recovery Assistant tool is designed to handle some of these automated fixes without further input.
MacDailyNews Take: Although it’ll be rarely used, it’s certainly nice to have these recovery features on iPhone and iPad!
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Siri AI is REALLY good — WSJ’s Joanna Stern’s week-long test proves it (with video)
After more than a decade of memes, frustration, and unfulfilled promises, Siri is good. Like really good.
That’s not just our take — it’s the verdict from respected WSJ tech journalist Joanna Stern after she spent an entire week living with the new Siri AI in the iOS 27 beta. Her detailed testing (captured in a must-watch YouTube video below) shows that Apple has finally delivered on the vision it teased for years: a conversational, context-aware, privacy-first digital assistant that actually understands you.
The Game-Changer: Personal Context + On-Device Intelligence
What sets the new Siri AI apart is its deep integration with your personal data — all processed with strong privacy protections. Unlike cloud-heavy competitors that often feel generic, Siri can pull relevant information from your Messages, Calendar, Voicemail, Photos, and more, right on your device.
Stern’s real-world examples are compelling:
• On a beach trip, she asked Siri for souvenir ideas for her kids “based on what you know about them.” Siri recommended reptile-themed toys — information drawn directly from her Messages. When she followed up (“How did you know that?”), Siri transparently explained the source.
• Siri AI synthesized data from her calendar, messages, and voicemail to suggest relevant work tasks for the day.
This is the kind of personalized assistance that actually feels useful in daily life, not just flashy demos.
Siri also demonstrated strong on-screen awareness, correctly identifying locations in photos (with quick corrections when needed) and offering helpful follow-ups like directions or nearby recommendations.
Real-World Testing Across Everyday Scenarios
Stern didn’t just ask scripted questions. She took Siri on a road trip to the beach, used it for shopping, meal analysis (via camera for nutritional insights), bill-splitting, and even tested its boundaries with personal/medical queries and lighthearted attempts to make it her “girlfriend.”
Key takeaways from her testing:
• Helpful and conversational — It handles natural back-and-forth dialogue far better than old Siri.
• Responsible guardrails — It politely refuses medical advice or romantic advances (“I’ve always thought of you as my friend”) and directs users to human professionals when appropriate.
• Privacy-first design — Queries use on-device processing where possible, with Private Cloud Compute for more complex tasks. Relevant personal data is sent only when needed and deleted afterward. No long-term storage by Apple.
• Beta realities — Some delays, occasional errors, and slower responses are still present (as expected in early testing), but the core foundation is solid.
Stern’s bottom line, shared on X and in her video: “Siri is good. Like good-good. After years of broken promises, Apple’s rebuilt the foundation it needs for the future.”
She was even impressed enough to consider switching to Apple Mail because of how well Siri leverages the data within Apple’s ecosystem.
Official Backing from Apple
This isn’t just beta hype. At WWDC 2026, Apple officially introduced Siri AI as a profoundly more capable and personal assistant powered by Apple Intelligence. It features natural conversations, personal context understanding, onscreen awareness, broad world knowledge, and the ability to take actions across apps. A dedicated Siri app lets you revisit conversations (synced via iCloud).
It’s currently in developer beta on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and visionOS 27, with a public beta expected later this year on supported devices.
Why This Matters
For years, Siri lagged behind Google Assistant, Alexa, and newer AI chatbots. The new Siri AI doesn’t just catch up — it leverages Apple’s unique strengths: deep ecosystem integration, on-device processing, and industry-leading privacy. By keeping sensitive personal data largely on-device while still delivering smart, contextual help, Apple is positioning Siri as the trustworthy choice for everyday assistance.
MacDailyNews Take: Stern’s week-long experiment proves that 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!
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[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
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Apple Watch dominates Q1 2026 smartwatch market with 21% shipment surge
The Apple Watch continues to set the pace in the global wearables race. According to Counterpoint Research’s latest data, Apple powered much of the smartwatch industry’s modest recovery in the first quarter of 2026, delivering standout results that underscore its enduring appeal.
Market Snapshot: Steady Growth, Led by Apple
• Global smartwatch shipments grew a solid 4% year-over-year in Q1 2026. While that figure might seem measured, Apple’s performance stood out dramatically:Apple shipments +21% YoY — the fastest growth among the top 10 brands.
• Apple Watch’s market share: 23% (up from roughly 20% in Q1 2025).
• North America still accounts for over half of Apple’s shipments, but China and Europe delivered the brand’s fastest regional growth.
counterpointresearch.com
This marks another quarter where Apple not only leads the category but accelerates ahead of it.
What’s Driving Apple’s Momentum?
Counterpoint Principal Analyst Anshika Jain highlighted several key factors:
• Refreshed lineup success — The latest Apple Watch models with meaningful health upgrades continue to resonate.
• Apple Watch SE 3 — The more affordable option is successfully bringing new buyers into the ecosystem.
• Premium health focus — Advanced sensors and features keep the flagship models attractive for users seeking deeper wellness insights.
The broader market is also benefiting from rising average selling prices (+6% YoY), driven by better sensors, AI capabilities, and consumers upgrading from basic to advanced devices. Apple sits perfectly at the intersection of these trends.
China’s Recovery Helps Everyone — But Apple Gains Too
While Huawei dominates China with ~40% share and benefits from government electronics subsidies, Apple still posted impressive growth in the region. The combination of premium demand and local market recovery created a rising tide that Apple rode effectively alongside its strong North American base.
Looking Ahead
Despite potential headwinds like rising memory prices, smartwatches are expected to weather them better than other consumer electronics thanks to higher margins in the premium segment. Counterpoint projects the overall market to grow at a 3% CAGR through 2030, with Apple well-positioned to maintain or even expand its leadership.
Why Apple Watch Still Wins
In a fragmented market full of Android-based alternatives, Apple’s seamless ecosystem, consistent software updates, privacy focus, and proven health-tracking reliability keep it in a league of its own. Whether you’re a first-time buyer grabbing an SE 3 or a long-time user upgrading for the latest health sensors, the Apple Watch remains the default choice for millions.
MacDailyNews Take: The Apple Watch isn’t just holding the crown, it’s polishing it! Q1 2026 proves that even in a slower-growth environment, Apple Watch’s combination of innovation, accessibility, and brand power continues to deliver results others can only envy.
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Drake tops Apple Music’s all-time most streamed artists list; Taylor Swift close behind at No.2
Apple Music just dropped its official ranking of the Top 20 Most Streamed Artists of All Time, and the results are sparking major conversations across the internet. Shared by X account @chartdata and confirmed by Apple Music, the list reflects the massive shift in how we consume music in the streaming era.
Apple Music’s Top 20 Most Streamed Artists of All Time
• Drake
• Taylor Swift
• Future
• YoungBoy Never Broke Again
• Bad Bunny
• Lil Baby
• The Weeknd
• Morgan Wallen
• Kanye West
• Post Malone
• Travis Scott
• Ariana Grande
• Chris Brown
• Kendrick Lamar
• Lil Durk
• Gunna
• Rod Wave
• Ed Sheeran
• Justin Bieber
• Eminem
Key Highlights from the Ranking
Drake claims the crown. The Toronto superstar sits comfortably at #1, a testament to his decades-long consistency, massive catalog, and cultural dominance.
Taylor Swift proves she’s untouchable. Coming in at a very close #2, Taylor remains the highest-ranking female artist — and one of only two women in the entire Top 20 (Ariana Grande slots in at #12). Rap and hip-hop dominate. The top 6 is stacked with rap heavyweights. Future at #3 and YoungBoy Never Broke Again at #4 are particularly notable — YoungBoy, at just 26 years old, is the youngest artist on the list and has built an incredibly loyal fanbase through relentless output.
Other standouts:
• Bad Bunny (#5) is the only Latin artist in the Top 20.
• Morgan Wallen (#8) represents a strong country crossover.
• Kendrick Lamar (#14) and Eminem (#20) show the enduring power of both new-era and legacy rap icons.
• Kanye West (#9) and The Weeknd (#7) continue their strong streaming legacies.
MacDailyNews Take: This ranking highlights how volume + consistency wins in the streaming age. Artists who drop frequently and maintain dedicated core audiences (think Future, YoungBoy, Lil Baby, Gunna) rack up billions of streams over time.
It also underscores platform differences. While Taylor Swift often leads Spotify’s all-time lists, Drake edges her out here — likely reflecting Apple Music’s strong U.S. user base where hip-hop and rap have massive reach.
MacDailyNews Note: Today is Juneteenth, a U.S. federal holiday and, as such, the U.S stock market is closed. Posting will be limited today. Thank you.
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Apple Original Films to bring beloved children’s book ‘Little Santa’ to the screen
Apple Original Films today announced it has landed “Little Santa,” a new animated feature based on the popular and beloved children’s book from award-winning author and illustrator Jon Agee. The project will reunite Apple Original Films with Academy Award and Annie Award-winning director Peter Baynton, who recently landed the Academy Award for Apple’s animated short “The Boy the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.” Julia Pistor (“Nacho Libre,” “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie,” “The Magician’s Elephant”) will serve as producer.
How did Santa become Santa? The answer is in the evergreen musical comedy adventure, “Little Santa.” Featuring original songs that will hail from Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning songwriter, comedian, actor and writer Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords), and a script from Martin Hynes, who co-wrote the Academy Award-winning “Toy Story 4,” the story will follow young Santa Claus on an Oz-like trek through the North Pole, meeting and inspiring the offbeat friends who will create Christmas and remind the world to believe.
“Little Santa” will be animated by WildBrain, including pre-production by WildBrain’s House of Cool. The film will be directed by Baynton and produced by Pistor. Hynes will also serve as executive producer alongside McKenzie.
Apple Original Films’ expanding offering of animated original films for kids and families also includes “Snoopy Unleashed,” its first original Peanuts feature film coming soon, as well as the Academy Award-winning animated short “The Boy the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,” Academy Award nominee and Annie Award-winning “Wolfwalkers,” both now streaming on Apple TV.
Momentum around the Apple Original Films slate continues to grow since the launch of Apple TV six years ago. Following its debut last year, “F1 The Movie,” set records as the highest grossing sports feature of all time and landed an Academy Award for Best Sound, as well as a nomination for Best Picture. Apple Original Films also recently released “The Lost Bus,” an Academy Award nominated emotional, action-packed rescue drama directed by Academy Award nominee Paul Greengrass and starring Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera; “Highest 2 Lowest,” the latest feature reuniting Spike Lee with Denzel Washington for the fifth time; and Emmy Award-nominated feature “The Gorge,” starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy. Soon-to-premiere Apple Original Films include “The Dink,” “Mayday,” “Matchbox the Movie,” “Way of the Warrior Kid” and “Being Heumann.”
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 843 wins and 3,608 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 TV’s new comedy series ‘Brothers,’ starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, debuts September 23rd
Today, Apple TV announced that its new eight-episode comedy, “Brothers,” will make its global debut on Wednesday, September 23 with the first two episodes, followed by one new episode every Wednesday through November 4, 2026. Starring and executive produced by Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey and Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson, and produced by Paramount Television Studios, “Brothers” is showrun and executive produced by multi-Emmy Award nominee and Peabody Award winner Lee Eisenberg.
“Brothers” follows McConaughey and Harrelson, who play fictionalized versions of themselves, and whose lifelong friendship is thrown into chaos when they uncover a decades-old secret: they might actually be brothers. After Woody’s daughter’s wedding falls apart, he loads up the family and heads to Austin for an extended stay at Matthew’s ranch. But what begins as a healing getaway quickly spirals when Matthew’s mother, Ma Mac (played by Holland Taylor), accidentally lets slip a long-buried secret that the two friends might actually be brothers. As Woody turns the ranch upside down in pursuit of the truth, Matthew finds himself juggling an entirely different identity crisis: a potential run for Governor of Texas. The result is a heartfelt, chaotic and wildly funny story about friendship, family, fame and the messy line between myth and reality.
The ensemble cast starring alongside Harrelson and McConaughey includes Natalie Martinez, Brittany Ishibashi, Nolan Almeida, Ella Grace Helton, Noah Carganilla, Highdee Kuan, Oona Yaffe, and Holland Taylor.
“Brothers” is produced for Apple TV by Paramount Television Studios. Eisenberg, McConaughey and Harrelson executive produce alongside Natalie Sandy, David West Read, Trish Hofmann, Bill Bost, Jason Winer, David Finkel, Brett Baer, and Jeremy Plager. Trent O’Donnell directs multiple episodes, including the pilot.
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 843 wins and 3,608 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 Take: Could be a big one!
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 announces changes to iOS in Brazil
Apple today announced changes impacting iOS apps in Brazil that reflect a recent agreement with Brazil’s competition regulator, the Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE). These updates create new options for developers to distribute apps on alternative app marketplaces and to process app payments for digital goods and services outside of Apple In-App Purchase. Across these changes, Apple has worked to reduce the new privacy and security risks they create to provide users in Brazil the best and safest experience possible.
The new options for alternative app marketplaces and app payments open new avenues for malware, fraud, scams, and privacy and security risks. Apple has worked with the Brazilian regulator to introduce protections from these new threats — including important safeguards for younger users. These protections include Notarization for iOS apps, an authorization process for app marketplaces, and requirements that help protect children from inappropriate content and scams.
While these safeguards do not eliminate the new risks, they are essential to Apple’s work to ensure iOS remains the best, most secure mobile platform available in Brazil. Apple will continue to engage with regulators on strengthening protections for iOS users.
Developers can learn about the new capabilities on the Apple Developer Support page and can integrate them into their apps beginning today as part of iOS 26.5.
New Options for Developers to Distribute Apps on iOS in Brazil
The App Store — where every app is reviewed to meet a high bar for privacy and security — remains the best place for iOS users in Brazil to discover and download the apps they love. This includes App Store features that protect users against fraud and scams and empower parents to help ensure their kids have age-appropriate experiences.
Under the agreement with CADE, developers will also have the option to distribute iOS apps in Brazil using alternative app marketplaces other than the App Store. Alternative app marketplaces will have to be authorized by Apple and will need to meet ongoing requirements to serve developers and users. However, apps downloaded outside the App Store will not benefit from the same protections Apple provides through App Review, creating new risks of apps that contain scams, fraud, and abuse, or that expose users to illicit, objectionable, or harmful content not allowed on the App Store.
To reduce some of these new risks, Apple will conduct a baseline review — called Notarization — that applies to all iOS apps and focuses on basic functionality and protecting users from serious threats. This Notarization process involves a combination of automated checks and human review, and helps ensure apps function as promised and are free of known malware, viruses, or other security threats. However, Notarization is less comprehensive than the App Review process that applies to all apps on the App Store.
Developers can learn more about operating or distributing from alternative app marketplaces in Brazil on the new Apple Developer Support page.
New Options for Payments in App Store Apps on iOS
On the App Store, users in Brazil can continue to use Apple In-App Purchase to buy digital goods and services, manage subscriptions, request refunds, and view their payment history.
As part of the agreement with CADE, Apple is sharing tools that enable developers to offer more ways for users to purchase digital goods and services in apps on the App Store. For their iOS apps distributed on the App Store in Brazil, developers will be able to include an alternative payment processing method in their app and/or link users to a website to complete a transaction.
These alternative payment options will always be presented alongside Apple In-App Purchase, so that users in Brazil are clear on when they are transacting through Apple. When users choose to pay with Apple In-App Purchase, they’ll continue to receive familiar protections and tools like refund support, subscription management, and Report a Problem. App Store users’ purchase history and subscription management will only reflect transactions made using Apple In-App Purchase.
For apps that use alternative payment processing or link users to the web for transactions, Apple will not be able to issue refunds and will have less ability to support customers encountering issues, scams, or fraud. Users may need to share their payment information with additional parties, which can introduce new privacy and security risks.
Updated Business Terms for iOS Apps in Brazil
To reflect these options for app distribution and payment processing, Apple is also sharing updated business terms for developers’ iOS apps in Brazil. These business terms reflect the many ways Apple creates value for developers’ apps, whether or not they use the App Store and/or Apple In-App Purchase.
Under the business terms for iOS apps in Brazil, Apple will continue to only charge a commission on the sale of digital goods and services. The new terms include:
• App Store commission: Developers with iOS apps on the App Store in Brazil will pay a reduced commission of either 10 percent for the vast majority of developers — including members of the Small Business Program, Video Partner Program, Mini Apps Partner Program, and for subscriptions following their first year — or 21 percent on transactions for digital goods and services. The App Store commission reflects the value of the tools, technology, and services that enable developers to create apps, in addition to App Store distribution, discovery, and ongoing services.
• Apple payment processing fee: In their iOS apps on the App Store, developers can process payments using Apple In-App Purchase for an additional 5 percent fee.
• Store services commission: Developers with iOS apps on the App Store in Brazil will pay a commission of 15 percent on transactions for digital goods and services made on a website linked to by the developer’s app. Developers in the programs mentioned above, and subscriptions following their first year, will pay a reduced rate of 10 percent.
• Core Technology Commission: iOS apps distributed outside of the App Store in Brazil will pay a 5 percent commission on the sale of digital goods and services, including paid apps. The Core Technology Commission compensates Apple for the tools, technologies, and services that enable developers to build and share their apps with iOS users.
Under these new business terms, developers that sell digital goods and services in Brazil will pay Apple the same or less than they do today. Developers that do not sell digital goods and services will continue not to pay Apple any commissions or fees.
Impacts to Kids’ Online Safety
The App Store is designed to be a safe and trusted place for everyone, including children. It offers a variety of features to help parents determine which apps, games, and content are appropriate for their kids, while providing a safe, fun, and enriching experience. Parents can expect that apps and games in the Kids category are age-appropriate, protect children’s data, and use parental gates to limit certain actions. For additional control, parents can enable Ask to Buy to approve purchases and turn off purchases via Screen Time.
With the changes introduced under the CADE agreement, the new options for alternative distribution and payment methods may expose children to new risks. For instance, apps downloaded from outside the App Store may include illicit and objectionable content, and they will not undergo the same rigorous review process Apple employs to evaluate apps made for children on the App Store. Similar regulatory changes in Europe and Japan have enabled types of apps that were previously unavailable on iOS, including pornography apps.
In an effort to reduce new risks of fraud or scams targeting children, Apple has worked with regulators in Brazil to preserve some guardrails, including:
• Apps in the Kids category on the App Store will not include links to websites to complete transactions, to reduce the risk of fraud or scams targeting children.
• For users under 18 years old, all apps from the App Store that use alternative payment processing must include a parental gate that requires younger users to involve their parent or guardian before making a purchase.
• For users under 18 years old, apps from the App Store cannot link to websites for transactions to protect against the risk of scams that target kids.
Apple is also working to provide developers using alternative payments with a new API so they can enable parents to monitor and approve purchases made outside of Apple In-App Purchase.
Developers must also continue to provide age ratings for their apps, whether their app is distributed on the App Store or an alternative app marketplace.
Apple will continue innovating to meet the evolving risks to kids’ safety online by building on the powerful tools and features it makes available today — like child accounts, web content filters, app restrictions, monitoring tools like Screen Time and Family Sharing, Communication Safety, and Communication Limits — that help parents shape who their children communicate with and shield them from inappropriate content.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple is providing detailed resources to help developers understand the options now available for their apps in Brazil, which they can access from the Apple Developer Support page.
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What to Expect from Apple Watch Ultra 4
Apple’s rugged flagship smartwatch is gearing up for its next iteration. With the Apple Watch Ultra 3 having launched in September 2025, rumors and supply chain reports point to the Ultra 4 arriving in fall 2026 — likely announced alongside the iPhone 18 series in September.
Here’s a breakdown of the most credible expectations.
Design: A Thinner, Redesigned Body
One of the biggest anticipated changes is a major redesign. Reports suggest a thinner titanium case (potentially reduced by around 15% in thickness compared to predecessors) for improved wearability while maintaining the Ultra’s adventure-ready durability.
Expect refinements like slimmer bezels, a potentially larger or brighter LTPO3 OLED display (rumored up to 3200 nits), new material finishes, and redesigned buttons or action button. The overall aesthetic should remain premium and tough — suitable for extreme sports, diving, and outdoor use — but feel more refined and less bulky for everyday wear.
This evolutionary-yet-notable update aligns with the line’s relatively young history (original Ultra in 2022), focusing on iteration rather than a complete overhaul.
Health and Sensors: Doubling Down on Monitoring
The Ultra 4 is expected to significantly upgrade its health-tracking capabilities. Key rumors include:
• Blood Pressure Monitoring: A new feature using the optical heart rate sensor (and possibly additional tech) to detect abnormal patterns and provide notifications. This is reportedly under FDA review and could represent a more advanced or clinically oriented implementation.
• Doubled or Redesigned Sensors: Supply chain info points to a ring of up to eight sensors on the back, doubling the sensor count for better accuracy across metrics like heart health, sleep, fitness, and more. A revised sensor layout is frequently mentioned.
Other potential enhancements include improved sleep tracking, advanced sports metrics (powered by future watchOS versions), and better overall data precision for athletes and health-conscious users.
Performance, Battery, and Features
• New S11 Chip: Expected to bring better efficiency, faster performance, and improved responsiveness without draining the battery faster.
• Battery Life: Rumors point to strong endurance, potentially up to 72 hours in low-power mode, making it ideal for multi-day adventures.
• Connectivity and Other Upgrades: Enhanced cellular (possibly dual antennas), better satellite SOS, improved GPS, and deeper integration with Apple Intelligence features. Touch ID has been rumored in the past (possibly via the action button), but it’s considered less certain now.
• Durability: Continued or enhanced water/dive resistance, with possible new modes for low-visibility conditions.
Pricing is likely to stay in the $799–$899 range, consistent with prior Ultra models.
MacDailyNews Take: The Apple Watch Ultra 3 remains an excellent choice today — it’s Apple’s most capable smartwatch with premium build and features, often available at a discount. If you need a rugged watch immediately, it’s hard to beat.
However, if you’re excited about the rumored thinner design, blood pressure insights, and sensor leaps, holding out for a few months could be worthwhile. The Ultra 4 shapes up as potentially the most significant update to the lineup yet.
Apple hasn’t officially confirmed any details, so treat the above as educated speculation from credible supply chain and analyst reports. We’ll know more as we get closer to the expected fall event. In the meantime, the current Ultra models continue to set a high bar for what a premium adventure smartwatch can be.
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The Virtual OS Museum: A time machine for Mac fans
If you ever owned a Mac that greeted you with that iconic boot chime, the Virtual OS Museum is the perfect rabbit hole. Andrew Warkentin has built a massive single emulation project featuring more than 1,700 pre-installed operating systems and applications spanning 250 different platforms — from Classic Mac OS and A/UX to NeXTSTEP, and everything from System 1.0 all the way through Mac OS 9.
MacSparky:
It ships two ways. A 121GB full bundle that runs offline, and a lighter 14GB starter that pulls each VM image down on first launch. Either one drops you into a desktop you probably haven’t seen in twenty years.
The fun of a project like this is that it is not trying to be polished. It is a labor of love by one person who wanted every operating system in one place and decided to make it happen. The full list runs 1948 to today, and stepping through it is like flipping through a textbook of computing history.
If you want to see where Apple’s modern OS came from, fire up NeXTSTEP. Most of the ideas that landed in Mac OS X a decade later are sitting right there.
MacDailyNews Take: It’s definitely not fast on an Apple Silicon Mac, as it runs as an x86 Linux VM, but it is fun! Check out the Virtual OS Museum here.
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Grace Gummer joins Dakota Fanning in Apple TV thriller series
Grace Gummer (“Love Story”), daughter of Meryl Streep, has signed on to join Dakota Fanning in Apple TV’s new thriller series from Alex Cary (“A Spy Among Friends,” “Homeland”) and Sony Pictures Television.
In the as-yet-untitled project, Fanning stars as an undercover Treasury agent embedded in a multi-billion-dollar international conglomerate with vast political and criminal reach. She soon finds herself torn between her mission and a deepening conviction that the heir apparent to the corrupt empire is, at his core, a good man worthy of her love.
Gummer will play the series regular role of Juliana, the oldest child of Stellan Skarsgård’s Brant, who heads up the conglomerate. As previously announced, Daryl McCormack is also set to star.
Apple’s thriller series is exec produced by Cary, who also serves as creator and showrunner under his overall deal with Sony Pictures Television and his FLW Productions banner. Julie Gardner (“Lady in the Lake,” “Doctor Who”) executive produces for Bad Wolf America, alongside and Dakota and Elle Fanning, Brittany Kahan Ward of Lewellen Pictures (“Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” “The Great”), and Kari Skogland (“Smoke,” “The Handmaid’s Tale”), who also directs.
Gummer recently garnered praise for her turn as Caroline Kennedy in FX’s hit limited series “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,” created by Connor Hines and executive produced by Hines and Ryan Murphy. She and her co-stars were honored with the Ensemble Tribute at the third annual Gotham TV Awards on June 1st.
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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Higher Apple prices are sending Micron stock to a record high
Micron shares hit fresh record highs after outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook signaled higher iPhone prices, underscoring robust demand for premium memory chips and reinforcing the ongoing boom in the memory sector.
This surge marks Micron’s 34th record close of the year, as investors bet on sustained strength in AI-driven and consumer electronics memory sales.
Futures tracking the S&P 500 were 0.8% higher after President Donald Trump signed a memorandum of understanding to end the Iran war.
The gains put the stock on track to surpass the all-time closing high of $1,087.99 it hit on Monday.
The artificial-intelligence craze has driven up demand for memory in data centers, which has led to investors rethinking the low forward price-to-earnings ratio that Micron shares normally fetch.
Barron’s argued earlier this month that the stock remains undervalued, because the company’s hardware is crucial for AI servers.
MacDailyNews Note: Micron stock was up 267% for the year through Wednesday’s close.
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President Trump reveals Apple-Intel domestic partnership, boosting American chip stocks
U.S. semiconductor stocks surged in premarket trading on Thursday, June 18, 2026, following President Donald Trump’s announcement that “Apple has agreed to work with Intel to design and build its Chips in America.” The news highlights the administration’s ongoing efforts to reshore critical semiconductor production and strengthen America’s technological independence.
President Trump via Truth Social:
The Technology the World relies on was invented in America. We all remember “Intel Inside.” Stupid Presidents took our Economy for granted, and let Taiwan and others steal our Semiconductor Factories. They forgot to protect our Industries with TARIFFS. When I won my Second Term (Third, actually!), it was clear America needed its Semiconductor Industry to come back to the U.S.A. We design everything, but we need to BUILD it here, NOW! So I decided to help Intel because we need to design and build our Chips right here in America. First, we helped bring in Nvidia, and they agreed to build their first level Chips with Intel. Next, Elon agreed to build his TerraFab, the largest Chip Factory in the World, designed together with Intel’s Technology team. And, finally, Apple has agreed to work with Intel to design and build its Chips in America. We decided to help Intel in exchange for 10% of their shares. Is that too much or, too little? They were worth around 100 Billion Dollars when we made our offer. Now they are worth over 600 BILLION DOLLARS! Nine months, and they’ve increased in value over HALF A TRILLION DOLLARS. America’s stake is now over 60 Billion Dollars. When was the last time a President made America money?? Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
Market Reaction
• Intel (INTC) shares jumped approximately 8.9% in premarket trading.
• Nvidia rose 1.2%, while AMD and Broadcom each climbed about 3%.
• Other notable gainers included ARM Holdings, Microchip, Applied Materials, Micron, Marvell Technology (up 5.8%), and Qualcomm (up 2.9%).
• Semiconductor ETFs also rallied: iShares Semiconductor ETF +3.9%, VanEck Semiconductor ETF +3.3%, and Roundhill Memory ETF +6.2%.
This positive momentum reflects investor optimism about reduced reliance on foreign foundries like TSMC and potential growth for US-based chip design and fabrication under initiatives emphasizing domestic production.
The announcement builds on earlier reports from May about preliminary discussions between Apple and Intel. Intel has been advancing its manufacturing roadmap, recently moving its 18A-P process into risk production with claims of improved performance and power efficiency. CEO Lip-Bu Tan has signaled openness to external customers, marking a shift in strategy.
Trump’s post emphasized economic wins: “We decided to help Intel in exchange for 10% of their shares… When was the last time a President made America money?” He positioned the move as a victory for American innovation and jobs.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple and Intel have not yet issued detailed public comments on the specifics of the partnership, such as timelines or scope, but the development could help Apple diversify away from heavy dependence on overseas suppliers amid global supply chain concerns alongside lowering Apple Silicon pricing thanks to competition.
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Apple to raise prices due to memory chip crunch, says outgoing CEO Tim Cook
In an exclusive interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple’s outgoing CEO Tim Cook confirmed that price hikes across Apple’s product lineup are now “unavoidable” due to skyrocketing costs and tightening supply of memory and storage chips.
“We’re doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we’ve been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable,” Cook told the WSJ.
The root cause is explosive demand for DRAM (memory) and NAND (storage) chips from AI data centers. Major cloud providers like Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon have dramatically increased their capital spending, causing prices for these components to quadruple since last year. TechInsights estimates that simply passing on the higher costs while preserving margins could add roughly $270 to the price of the next iPhone 18 Pro model.
Cook highlighted the DRAM market in particular, noting that suppliers are prioritizing high-bandwidth memory for AI servers, leaving less capacity for consumer devices. “There’s less supply at a time when consumers want devices and the memory guys are passing along huge price increases,” he said. He described the situation as a “hundred-year flood” unlike anything he’s seen in over 40 years in the supply chain.
What This Means for Upcoming Products
• Apple’s next major launch is expected in September 2026 with the iPhone 18 series, including a new foldable model.
• Price increases could arrive even sooner for Macs and iPads (Apple already raised the starting price of the Mac Mini recently).
• The company also needs more DRAM to support advanced on-device AI features, including the newly announced Siri upgrades.
Apple spends tens of billions annually on memory and storage and has historically used its buying power to secure favorable pricing. Now, even Apple finds itself waiting in line behind deep-pocketed AI buyers who are locking up supply with multi-year contracts and large prepayments.
Cook said Apple is willing to use its strong balance sheet to help increase supply, but ruled out building its own memory factories. He also suggested that loosening certain national-security restrictions on dealing with Chinese memory suppliers “needs to be on the table.”
Of course, other consumer electronics makers (HP, Dell, Nintendo) have already raised prices or adjusted specs. Analysts from Morgan Stanley warn of potential 15% price increases for smartphones and PCs in the U.S. this year, with consumer-grade memory supply possibly falling 15% short of demand by 2027 even as total production capacity grows.
MacDailyNews Take: The era of relatively stable pricing from Apple may be ending — at least until memory markets stabilize. As Cook put it, the company has tried to absorb the pain as long as possible, but that strategy has now reached its limit.
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