Here are the top Apple-related articles at Apple World Today for the week of July 20-24.

° Apple developed, but didn’t release, “M2 Extreme” and “‘M3 Extreme”chips.

° Apple probably won’t name Jony Ive in its lawsuit agains OpenAI.

° Apple is testing a new Genius Bar tool dubbed Live Notes.

° Apple is now in the AI race in China, a market arguably among those showing the highest consumer AI awareness and preference in the world.

° iPhone sales in China grew 23% year-over-year in the second quarter.

° The 20th anniversary iPhone could have a 6.96-inch display.

° Apple recorded a 4% week-over-week increase in European smartphone sales June 21-27.

° Apple says it has fixed a vulnerability in its Hide My Email feature.

° iPhone sales in India grew 12% year-over-year as of quarter two.

° Apple and Klarna — which provides digital payments, short-term consumer credit, cards, banking services and merchant tools for online and in-store commerce — are partnering on a new “Apple Upgrade” program.

° Apple has lost its bid to get out of paying Masimo $634 million.

° Apple is projected to capture a 25% share of the foldable smartphone market this year.

° Apple TV is looking for a head of local language scripted projects.

° Apple purportedly plans to update every Mac model over the next two years.

° Global PC shipments decreased by 4% year-over-year (YoY) in quarter two (Q2) of 2026 to reach 65 million units — but not Apple’s.

° Apple Maps will be integrated directly into Ford’s upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform.

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By Alius Noreika Key takeaways The question comes up in almost every firm that has started experimenting with

Deepfakes can impersonate you in seconds. A synthetic video of your CEO making false statements can be live

This could be good news for Apple with iPhone prices rising: 46% of consumers in India are willing to pay more for their favorite smartphone.

Indian consumers’ smartphone purchase plans are evolving as rising manufacturing and component costs continue to drive up smartphone prices. According to Counterpoint’s latest consumer survey, 46% of consumers in India planning a purchase within the next six months are willing to stretch their budgets to purchase their preferred smartphones despite a price increase. This behavior is primarily driven by consumers aged 25-30 (52%) and is slightly more pronounced among Tier 1 consumers. This group includes consumers who are willing to stretch their budgets, opt for affordability-driven payment options, or even switch ecosystems to purchase their preferred smartphones.

29% of consumers will continue with their purchase by either staying within their planned budget or choosing a refurbished device. This behavior is most prominent among respondents aged above 50 (34%).

In contrast, 25% of consumers planning to buy a smartphone in the next six months will delay their purchase in case of a price increase in their preferred device, according to Counterpoint. Most of these consumers intend to either continue using their current device for longer or get it repaired to extend its life. This behavior is more prevalent among homemakers and students.

“Consumers’ dependence on smartphones has grown significantly, leading to a clearer understanding of the features and experiences they value,” Senior Analyst Arushi Chawla says. “Against this backdrop, price increases are driving shifts in consumer purchase plans, creating opportunities for brands with strong pull, especially in the mid-to-premium segment. Brands offering a balanced portfolio across adjacent price bands are likely to benefit from this movement. At the same time, growing awareness of rising smartphone prices is shaping expectations for the 2026 festive season. Consumers are increasingly looking for stronger value through discounts, exchange offers, financing options and other affordability-driven promotions before making their purchase.”

The uncertainty created by rising smartphone prices elevates the role of retailers as the final influence on purchase decisions, he adds. At the same time, longer replacement cycles highlight the need for stronger after-sales support to build long-term value, while flexible financing and affordability-led payment options can help mitigate the impact of price increases and drive conversions.

Counterpoint Research conducted this consumer survey among 2,095 prospective smartphone buyers planning a purchase within the next six months. These respondents represent diverse demographics across genders, city tiers, age groups and occupations. The research explores the impact of higher prices on purchase intentions, spending patterns, upgrade behavior and brand preferences, offering a comprehensive view of how Indian consumers are responding to the evolving smartphone market.

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Introduction High expenses on prototypes, a lot of changes made to design, and the delay in the delivery

In May Apple agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class action lawsuit accusing it of false advertising on the promised-then-delayed “more personalized” Siri.

Apple’s settlement has now received preliminary approval from a judge, according to a July 17 court document. However, there’s  no settlement website yet, and it may take months before eligible customers can begin submitting claims, notes MacRumors.

In June 2025 Apple shareholder Eric Tucker filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Apple in a California court, over alleged violations of federal U.S. securities laws.

The complaint alleges that Apple made false statements related to the more personalized version of Siri that it previewed during its WWDC 2024 keynote. The complaint alleges that these actions hurt the company’s stock price, and thereby harmed shareholders.

And that wasn’t the first lawsuit about the delay of Apple Intelligence features and a more personalized Siri. At least four such lawsuits have been filed.

On March 7, 2025, Apple announced that it was indefinitely delaying promised updates to its Siri digital assistant. Specifically, Apple said that certain features initially announced in June 2024, including Siri’s ability to tap into a user’s personal information to answer queries and have more precise control over apps, would released sometime in “the coming year.” 

I hope you’ll help support Apple World Today by becoming a patron. Almost all our income is from Patreon support and sponsored posts. Patreon pricing ranges from $2 to $10 a month. Thanks in advance for your support. 

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How virtual currency, transparent rules, and responsible-play tools separate trustworthy platforms from the rest. Online gamers have more

What if every “BLUEPRINT” in your comments automatically sparked a conversation that turned a browser into a buyer

Most B2B deals are decided before a sales rep ever hears from the buyer. Buying groups research independently,

Apple’s trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI has been reassigned to U.S. District Judge Edward Davila, replacing the magistrate judge, Magistrate Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi,  initially assigned to the case, reports 9to5Mac.

From the article: When a civil lawsuit is filed in the Northern District of California, it is randomly assigned to either a district judge or a magistrate judge. If the case is assigned to a magistrate judge, each party must then indicate whether it agrees to let that judge oversee the entire case.

That is because district judges have the authority to oversee federal civil cases from start to finish, while magistrate judges can do so only with the consent of every party involved. 

Apple, for its part, appears to have declined to okay DeMarchi.

The background for all this: In a lawsuit filed with the Northern District of California earlier this month, it was announced that Apple is suing OpenAI. The tech giant says it’s uncovered evidence of a months-long scheme to steal confidential information. 

Apple says OpenAI hardware lead and former Apple designer Tang Tan and former electrical engineer Chang Liu directed Apple employees interviewing with OpenAI to provide details on unreleased devices, components, manufacturing processes, and vendor relationships.

Here’s what Apple said in a statement to MacRumors: At Apple, our teams are constantly developing breakthrough technologies to create the best products and services in the world, and protecting their work and intellectual property is something we take very seriously. Recently, significant evidence has emerged suggesting individuals employed by OpenAI wrongfully took Apple’s secret and confidential information regarding our unreleased technologies, processes, and products. We will always defend our teams’ hard work and innovations, and we are taking all appropriate steps to do so.

And from the lawsuit: 

OpenAI also instructs new hires on how to avoid scrutiny when they leave Apple. For example, Mr. Tan warns them not to tell Apple that they have taken jobs at OpenAI, so they can stay at Apple as long as they can. After his own departure, Mr. Tan improperly retained or obtained an internal Apple managers’ document marked “Need to Know” that describes security procedures for employee departures. Messages left on Apple-issued work devices show that Mr. Tan and his OpenAI colleagues have been sharing this document with new hires before they give notice to Apple of their departures, previewing Apple’s security protocols. Unsurprisingly, Apple’s investigation has found a pattern by employees who depart for OpenAI of taking steps to evade the security processes intended to protect Apple’s confidential information.

OpenAI has long been luring talent from Apple. The latest that I know of was Paul Meade, who oversaw development on the Vision Pro and Apple’s upcoming smart glasses. Also among the hires from Apple are former Apple industrial design head Evans Hankey and former hardware engineering executive Tang Tan.

However, Open AI said it is “not aware” of any evidence that Apple’s allegations of trade secret theft have merit in a statement to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The statement: While we take these allegations seriously, we’re not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit. We believe in fair competition and allowing people the freedom to work wherever they choose, and we’re focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.

I hope you’ll help support Apple World Today by becoming a patron. Almost all our income is from Patreon support and sponsored posts. Patreon pricing ranges from $2 to $10 a month. Thanks in advance for your support. 

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Here are some of the latest hardware and accessory announcements:

° WaterField Designs has introduced the US$129 Packable Messenger, a lightweight packable messenger bag made to stow inside a suitcase, car, backpack or larger bag until an extra carry is needed. It fold into its own internal pocket, then opens into a clean-lined, compact shoulder bag.

° Casana has launched the $199 Smart Seat, a smart toilet seat that automatically monitors blood pressure trends, heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen, and respiratory rate at home — giving adults and their families effortless, daily health tracking with nothing to wear, charge, or learn.

° Okay, here’s an unusual one: Augmental has announced the public U.S. launch of the MouthPad, its tongue-driven computer mouse, and, at the same time, releases a beta of its “invisible keyboard,” Vox. First launched via an Early Access program in 2024, the MouthPad is a hands-free Bluetooth mouse that lets users control phones, tablets, and computers using tongue, head, and “sip” gestures. The device is currently used by over 100 people living with mobility challenges, including students, artists, and gamers, for up to 16 hours a day by some users.

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“The Dink,” a sports comedy starring Jake Johnson as a former tennis prodigy who finds himself pulled into the world of pickleball after an injury changes his plans, premieres today on Apple TV.

Here’s how the film is described: Washed up former tennis prodigy Dusty Boyd (Johnson) has been reduced to coaching unruly children at his father Chuck’s (Ed Harris) suburban country club. Desperate for his father’s approval, Dusty blindly supports Chuck’s vendetta against the new craze taking over the club: pickleball. But when Dusty reaggravates an old injury, taking away his ability to play tennis, he resorts to the unthinkable in the name of rehab. He not only tries pickleball, but, thanks in part to his enchanting new partner Candace (Mary Steenburgen), he finds himself actually enjoying it. Torn between two worlds, Dusty is forced to finally face the ghosts of his past athletic failures, including his childhood nemesis, Andy Roddick (Andy Roddick). Ultimately, Dusty is drawn into a desperate battle for the future of the club, his father’s affection and his very identity.

Alongside Johnson, Steenburgen, Harris and Roddick, the all-star cast includes Patton Oswalt, Chloe Fineman, Chris Parnell and Aaron Chen, as well as Ben Stiller.

Directed by Josh Greenbaum (“Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar”), “The Dink” is an underdog story produced by Stiller (“Dodgeball”) and John Lesher for Red Hour Films, and Rob Paris and Mike Witherill for Rivulet Entertainment. In addition to starring, Johnson serves as producer. The film is written by Sean Clements (“Workaholics”) and executive produced by Rick Steele, Clements, Greenbaum, Joe Hardesty, Jonathan McCoy and Daniel Crosser.

About Apple TV

Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku an Amazon Fire TV devices, 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 or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free. For more information, visit apple.com/tvpr and see the full list of supported devices.

I hope you’ll help support Apple World Today by becoming a patron. Almost all our income is from Patreon support and sponsored posts. Patreon pricing ranges from $2 to $10 a month. Thanks in advance for your support. 

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Here are some of the latest software announcements.

° WhatsApp has announced new features spanning CarPlay, iPad, and iPhone that are “designed to work wherever you do, across your devices and the other apps you use.”

° Anthropic has added iOS Simulator support to Claude Code Desktop, letting Mac developers build, run, test, and debug iPhone apps in public beta.

° The Freebie Guy, whose real name is Kendall Motzny, has launched The Freebie Guy mobile app, giving shoppers instant access to real-time deals, freebies, sweepstakes, exclusive coupons and money-saving opportunities. It’s a free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

° Google has introduced a new selfie sign-in option for Google Account recovery. It offers an alternative way for Google users to access their accounts alongside passkeys, recovery contacts, and other entry methods.

°  NowSecure, which specializes in mobile application risk management, has announced a new set of AI-native capabilities within the NowSecure Platform designed “to help mobile app security keep pace with the speed of AI-driven development.” Specifically, these additions include a new AI Chat, an MCP server, an extended API for agentic workflows, and new capabilities that detect AI-specific vulnerabilities.

° Opera One browser has gotten an update adding a Vertical Tabs option that moves the tab bar from the top of the window to a resizable panel down the left-hand side.

The post Software announcements for the week of July 20-24 appeared first on MacTech.com.

Apple has alerted Apple Pay users about a new promotion offering discounts on Columbia Gear. 

You can get US$20 off purchases of $120 or more from the sportswear company. The discount works when you make a purchase from the Columbia website and us ‌Apple Pay‌ to check out. 

The discount — good through August 7 — isn’t available in Columbia retail locations. Products from the Amaze Puff Collection and the ROC Collection are excluded. And the promo can’t be combined with other discounts.

I hope you’ll help support Apple World Today by becoming a patron. Almost all our income is from Patreon support and sponsored posts. Patreon pricing ranges from $2 to $10 a month. Thanks in advance for your support. 

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Apple TV has announced a new eight-episode dating documentary series, “The Last Person on Earth,” with New York Times bestselling author and couples therapist Esther Perel. 

Here’s how it’s described: In the series, couples who appear to be opposites are expertly paired by Perel and a team of matchmakers and therapists, before embarking on an adventure in one of the world’s most romantic and remote destinations. With more single people than ever before and increasing levels of polarization and social isolation, this innovative experiment asks the question: could the last person on Earth you think you’d ever want to date end up being the one person you can’t live without? And will an unexpected pairing in paradise open their horizons and be the beginning of a life-changing relationship?

From Boldprint Studios, “The Last Person on Earth” is executive produced by Dan Gray, Lou Hutchinson and Phil Harris, with series director Josh Jacobs. Olly Lambert also serves as director on the series.

About Apple TV

Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku an Amazon Fire TV devices, 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 or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free. For more information, visit apple.com/tvpr and see the full list of supported devices.

I hope you’ll help support Apple World Today by becoming a patron. Almost all our income is from Patreon support and sponsored posts. Patreon pricing ranges from $2 to $10 a month. Thanks in advance for your support. 

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EveryMac is celebrating its 30th anniversary. For three decades, Brock Kyle’s comprehensive Apple specs site has been a reliable standby for hunting down obscure details that Apple doesn’t make easy to find.

Here are the top Apple-related articles at Apple World Today for the week of July 13-17.

° Apple sues OpenAI for a scheme to “steal confidential information.”

° The Trump administration may have pushed Apple to make a chip-making deal with Intel.

° Apple purportedly has no plans for M6 Pro, M6 Pro Max, or M6 Pro Ultra processors.

° Apple’s global smartphone shipments grew to a record 20% in the second quarter.

° Apple has acquired SigLens, a platform for monitoring and debugging the processes of interrelated apps.

° Australia’s online safety regulator wants tech companies like Apple to do better at stopping online sexual extortion.

° Apple has 18.1% of China’s smartphone market as of the second quarter of 2026.

° A judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Apple regarding child sexual abuse material on iCloud.

° Apple Intelligence has been registered for use in China.

° The European Commission has adopted new exemptions to its Batteries Regulation that free the Apple Watch and AirPods from having to offer user-removable and replaceable batteries.

° Apple has offered a list of products eligible for a “sales tax holiday”  in certain states.

° Apple has won a discovery fight in their ongoing 2024 DOJ antitrust lawsuit, successfully blocking subpoenas they issued to 14 federal agencies.

° An Apple user has filed a proposed class action accusing the company of misleading customers about Hide My Email’s privacy protections.

° Apple TV comedy “Acapulco” is nominated for 13 Imagen Awards.

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Apple has decided to raise the prices of the iPhone in Japan, specifically of the entire family of iPhone 17 models, reports iPhoneros (as translated).

Prices increased by up to 11%. Increases range from 8,000 yen for the most affordable model, the iPhone 17e, to 20,000 yen or 25,000 yen for the different storage levels of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. 

iPhoneros says that it was anticipated that Apple wouldn’t raise iPhone prices until the iPhone 18 line debuted. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are anticipated to arrive in September or October (along with a foldable iPhone). A non-Pro iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are due in the first half for 2027.

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Apple has overtaken Nvidia to reclaim its title as the most valuable publicly traded company in the U.S., reports the Wall Street Journal.

Apple’s current market capitalization hit $4.91 trillion Friday. Nvidia is behind at $4.83 trillion in early-morning trade.

From the WSJ article: Apple has shown a steadier upward trajectory, driven by investor confidence that its dominant consumer position can solve most problems. It may have lagged behind in AI, but that hasn’t prompted iPhone users to switch to Android devices. And Apple may be catching up with the new Siri AI coming this fall. The company’s stock has risen roughly 57.8% over the past year.

I hope you’ll help support Apple World Today by becoming a patron. Almost all our income is from Patreon support and sponsored posts. Patreon pricing ranges from $2 to $10 a month. Thanks in advance for your support. 

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