Apple has filed a sweeping lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the AI company of trade-secret theft, systematic poaching of talent, and efforts to build hardware that could rival the iPhone. Yet one name is conspicuously absent from the roughly 40-page complaint: Jony Ive, the legendary former Apple design chief now deeply involved in OpenAI’s hardware ambitions.

Ive, widely regarded as Steve Jobs’ “spiritual partner,” left Apple in 2019 and has since played a pivotal role at OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, the AI for newbies who don’t know better alternatives exist. Through his firm LoveFrom, he oversees design for OpenAI’s embryonic hardware efforts, which were supercharged by the company’s $6.5 billion acquisition of io Products, a startup co-founded by Ive. Many members of the renowned design team he built at Apple followed him, and more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI.

Why the Omission of Ive?

According to reporting by Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman, several factors explain why Apple chose not to name Ive directly:

• Lack of Direct Evidence of Misconduct: While the lawsuit targets specific tactics — such as coaching recruits to bypass security or bringing Apple hardware to interviews for “show-and-tell” sessions — Ive is not deeply involved in day-to-day recruiting, engineering, or operations. Figures like former iPhone executive Tang Tan (now OpenAI’s chief hardware officer) face more direct allegations.

• Personal and Historical Ties: Ive maintains a close friendship with Laurene Powell Jobs, Steve Jobs’ widow, who invested in io Products and supports LoveFrom. Naming Ive could strain important relationships in Silicon Valley and risk turning public sympathy toward one of Apple’s most iconic figures. Ive even spoke at Jobs’ memorial service.

• Optics and Legacy: Ive remains synonymous with Apple’s greatest hits. Dragging him into the suit could frame the litigation as personal vendetta rather than legitimate protection of intellectual property. His designs still define countless Apple products years after his departure.

Ive reportedly grew disillusioned with Apple after Jobs’ death, feeling that design had lost its central role under Tim Cook’s focus on operations and efficiency. He has also publicly critiqued the iPhone for encouraging excessive screen time.

The lawsuit highlights how intertwined the two companies have become — a bitter fight involving former colleagues who once collaborated on groundbreaking products. Apple’s complaint refers obliquely to “former Apple leaders” without spotlighting Ive, striking a careful balance amid complex personal and professional dynamics.

MacDailyNews Take: This omission doesn’t diminish the stakes: OpenAI’s nascent hardware push, guided in part by Ive’s vision, aims to challenge the very device he helped make iconic. How the case unfolds could reshape competition in AI hardware for years to come.

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Taiwanese prosecutors on Monday indicted a former deputy manager at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for allegedly stealing trade secrets involving technologies designated as national core technologies, with the intent to use them in China.

The defendant, identified by the surname Chen, faces charges under Taiwan’s National Security Act and the Trade Secrets Act. Prosecutors are seeking a seven-year prison sentence.

According to the indictment, Chen conspired with a Hong Kong national between 2023 and 2024 to establish CSMAC, a semiconductor materials analysis company in China. He is accused of copying 21 TSMC documents containing national core technologies and other proprietary trade secrets for use in the new venture.

TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker and a key supplier to companies such as Nvidia and Apple, detected the unauthorized copying through an internal investigation and successfully recovered all duplicated documents. The Hong Kong co-conspirator was not prosecuted because he had died. Chen remains in custody, and Reuters was unable to reach him for comment. TSMC declined to comment on the case.

Prosecutors described this as Taiwan’s first indictment involving the alleged theft of trade secrets related to technologies officially designated as national core technologies for intended use in China.

The case underscores heightened concerns in Taiwan over China’s efforts to recruit Taiwanese semiconductor talent and acquire advanced chip know-how. In response, Taiwan has significantly tightened protections for technologies deemed critical to its economic and national security.

MacDailyNews Take: TSMC clearly plays a central role in the global semiconductor supply chain, making the protection of its intellectual property a matter of strategic importance far beyond Taiwan’s borders.

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In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman highlights two notable Apple developments: a new AI tool being tested in retail stores and previously undisclosed plans for the now-defunct Mac Pro.

AI Recording and Transcription for Genius Bar Appointments

Apple is piloting an AI-powered system called Live Notes at select retail stores. The tool allows Genius Bar employees to record conversations with customers using an iPad. AI then transcribes and summarizes the discussion, automatically adding it to the employee’s notes and the official repair session record.

Key details of the pilot include:

• Opt-in only — Both the employee and customer must agree before recording begins.

• Goal — Reduce manual note-taking so staff can focus more on customer service and problem-solving rather than typing during appointments.

• Integration — Transcripts feed directly into Apple’s internal Genius Bar system for better documentation and follow-up.

This initiative reflects Apple’s broader push to integrate AI across its ecosystem, including retail operations, to improve efficiency while maintaining a personal touch in customer interactions. Privacy safeguards via the opt-in requirement appear designed to address potential concerns.

Apple Once had Bigger Plans for the Mac Pro

Apple discontinued the Mac Pro earlier in 2026, but new reporting reveals the company once had far more ambitious plans for the high-end desktop. Gurman notes that Apple developed — but ultimately shelved — “M2 Extreme” and “M3 Extreme” chip variants specifically intended for the Mac Pro.

These ultra-powerful chips were part of an effort to deliver even greater performance for professional users who rely on the modular, expandable workstation. The decision not to release them contributed to the product’s eventual discontinuation, as Apple shifted focus amid changing market demands and the rise of more portable high-performance options like Mac Studio and MacBook Pro configurations.

The revelations underscore the evolving nature of Apple’s Mac lineup, where even flagship products like the Mac Pro face tough strategic trade-offs in an AI-driven computing era.

MacDailyNews Take: Not everything makes it to market. Conditions change. As always, retail and pro desktop innovations continue to shape the company’s customer and professional user experiences.

In the end, Mac Pro was a waste of aluminum. – MacDailyNews, March 30, 2026

For the vast majority of professional users (video editors, photographers, 3D artists, developers, and those running AI/ML workloads) the Mac Studio is the superior choice overall. It delivers an excellent balance of performance, price, compact size, and modern features. The Mac Studio covers 90% (or more) of what the Mac Pro once offered, but at a fraction of the cost and with newer silicon, and the promise of regular updates. The discontinued Mac Pro was only preferable, or truly necessary, in the rare cases that demand heavy internal PCIe expansion that cannot be adequately handled externally via Thunderbolt; a very niche market. – MacDailyNews, March 27, 2026

Apple’s Mac Pro is a dead end. Mac Studio is the high-end Mac future now. Bring on the M5 Ultra Mac Studio and rename it “Mac Pro.” – MacDailyNews, November 17, 2025

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In Nasdaq trading today, shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL) rose $0.48 to $333.74 to hit a new all-time closing high. Apple’s all-time intraday high was also set today at $334.98.

Apple’s 52-week low stands at $201.50.

Today’s trading volume for AAPL shares was 63,196,563 versus Apple’s average trading volume of 54,686,906 shares.

Apple’s PE Ratio currently stands at 40.40.

Apple currently has a market value of $4.902 trillion, making it the world’s second-most valuable company.

The top five U.S. publicly-traded companies, based on market value:

1. NVIDIA (NVDA) – $4.912T
2. Apple (AAPL) – $4.902T
3. Alphabet (GOOGL) – $4.231T
4. Microsoft (MSFT) – $2.925T
5. Amazon (AMZN) – $2.659T

Selected companies’ current market values:

• Taiwan Semi (TSM): $2.252T
• Tesla (TSLA): $1.488T
• Meta Platforms (META): $1.695T
• Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A): $1.087T
• Walmart (WMT): $906.425B
• Advanced Micro Devices (AMD): $909.696B
• Intel (INTC): $552.056B
• Cisco (CSCO): $473.938B
• Netflix (NFLX): $310.883B
• SoftBank (SFTBF): $220.206B
• IBM (IBM): $275.786B
• Dell (DELL): $254.787B
• Disney (DIS): $166.045B
• Sony (SONY): $122.428B
• Adobe (ADBE): $90.177B
• Spotify (SPOT): $98.65B
• Nokia (NOK): $69.447B
• Hewlett-Packard (HPQ): $20.961B
• SiriusXM (SIRI): $9.937B
• BlackBerry (BB): $6.06B
• Sonos (SONO): $1.727B
• Liquidmetal (LQMT): $0.181B
• RealNetworks (RNWK) was delisted from U.S. exchanges on December 21, 2022 and is no longer publicly traded.

Apple all-time high (AAPL) via NASDAQ here.

MacDailyNews Take: To the moon, Alice. To the moon!

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Apple has increased the monthly subscription prices for its Apple Music streaming service in the United States and other markets, marking the first hike in nearly four years. The changes took effect today.

New Apple Music pricing:

• Individual plan: $11.99 per month (up from $10.99)

• Family plan: $19.99 per month (up from $16.99)

• Student plan: $6.99 per month (up from $5.99)

Select Apple One bundles have also seen increases:

• Family plan: $27.95 per month (up from $25.95)

• Premier plan: $39.95 per month (up from $37.95)

The Apple One Individual plan remains unchanged at $19.95 per month.

In a statement to Music Business Worldwide, Apple explained the move: “As a result of rising licensing costs, Apple Music is increasing its subscription price beginning today.”

This increase follows Spotify’s earlier 2026 price adjustment in the U.S., which Apple had publicly highlighted. Despite the hikes, Apple Music’s new Individual rate of $11.99 remains lower than Spotify Premium’s current $12.99.

The last Apple Music price rise occurred in October 2022, when the Individual plan moved from $9.99 to $10.99. Apple has periodically adjusted prices for other services like Apple TV and components within Apple One bundles since then.

MacDailyNews Take: The timing aligns with broader industry trends of streaming services adjusting prices amid rising content and licensing expenses. Existing subscribers will see the changes on their next billing cycle.

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Apple TV on Friday unveiled the trailer for “The Dynasty: UConn Huskies,” which chronicles the 40-year run of the renowned University of Connecticut (UConn) women’s basketball program under Hall of Fame head coach Geno Auriemma. Directed and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Matthew Hamachek and Emmy Award nominee Erica Sashin, the highly anticipated three-part docuseries from Skydance Sports premieres globally on Apple TV on Friday, August 21, 2026.

“The Dynasty: UConn Huskies” is a sweeping three-part documentary event chronicling the rise of the most dominant program in college basketball history. Featuring exclusive interviews with the 2025 National Championship team and legendary voices spanning generations of UConn basketball, the series explores the pursuit of excellence, the expectations that accompany sustained success, and the people who upheld that standard across generations. Through never-before-seen archival footage and intimate access, the series digs into the obsession, pressure, sacrifices and ruthless culture that transformed a basketball program into an unrivaled phenomenon.

The series reflects on the legacy that built the program and offers a rare, inside look at the players carrying it forward through in-depth conversations with coaches, athletes, alumni, rivals and journalists across generations of UConn basketball, including KK Arnold, Auriemma, Sue Bird, Paige Bueckers, Jim Calhoun, Swin Cash, Chris Dailey, Mickie DeMoss, Jana El Alfy, Jamelle Elliott, Azzi Fudd, Jeff Goldberg, Sally Jenkins, Steve Kerr, Rebecca Lobo, Jackie MacMullan, Maya Moore, Alexa Philippou, Shea Ralph, Semeka Randall, Jennifer Rizzotti, Breanna Stewart, Sarah Strong, Diana Taurasi, and Tamika Williams-Jeter.

“The Dynasty: UConn Huskies” is a Skydance Sports production, with Learfield Studios and Revue Studios executive producing. Executive producers are Jesse Sisgold, Jason T. Reed, Jon Weinbach, Lauren Gaffney, Sashin, Hamachek, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, Grant Jones, Jon Liebman, and Zoe Rogovin.

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 850 wins and 3,752 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.

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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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Just one day after its global premiere on July 15, 2026, Anya Taylor-Joy’s high-stakes limited series “Lucky” has stormed to the top of Apple TV’s streaming charts in the United States, dethroning established hits like “Silo” and claiming the platform’s overall top spot.

The seven-episode crime thriller, which dropped its first two episodes on premiere day with weekly releases to follow, has generated massive buzz thanks to Taylor-Joy’s magnetic lead performance and a stacked ensemble cast. Early viewership data from FlixPatrol confirms the explosive debut, signaling strong audience appetite for glossy, twist-filled thrillers this summer.

A High-Octane Return to the Small Screen

In Lucky, Taylor-Joy stars as Luciana “Lucky” Armstrong, a reformed con artist whose carefully rebuilt life unravels after a multimillion-dollar heist goes disastrously wrong. Forced back into the criminal underworld she escaped years earlier, she finds herself pursued by both the FBI and a ruthless mob boss (played with icy menace by Annette Bening). The series blends pulse-pounding chases, family betrayals, and moral dilemmas, all set against glamorous backdrops like Las Vegas penthouses and sun-baked desert highways.

Taylor-Joy, who also executive produces through her Ladykiller banner alongside Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, delivers a layered, physically demanding turn that echoes the breakout intensity of “The Queen’s Gambit” while showcasing the action prowess she honed in films like Furiosa. Supporting players Timothy Olyphant (as Lucky’s complicated father), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (as a determined FBI agent), Drew Starkey, Clifton Collins Jr., and William Fichtner round out a cast that critics are already praising for elevating the material.

Created by Jonathan Tropper and co-showrun with Cassie Pappas, “Lucky” adapts Marissa Stapley’s bestselling 2021 novel (a Reese’s Book Club pick). The production shot in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, wrapping principal photography in 2025 before arriving with sleek marketing and an adrenalized trailer that teased its mix of glamour, deception, and survival.

Why the Instant Success?

Apple TV has seen sustained hits from Taylor-Joy before — her 2025 sci-fi thriller “The Gorge” lingered on charts for hundreds of days — but “Lucky” marks her triumphant return to limited series television. The timing couldn’t be better: summer viewing habits favor bingeable, escapist fare, and the show’s weekly episode drops build anticipation without overwhelming audiences.

Early reviews highlight Taylor-Joy’s star power and the series’ slick production values, even as some note familiar genre tropes. Its rapid climb to #1 underscores Apple’s strategy of leveraging A-list talent and book adaptations to drive subscriptions.

With new episodes dropping every Wednesday through August 19th, Lucky is poised to maintain momentum. Whether it sustains its chart dominance like Apple’s other long-runners remains to be seen, but its opening salvo has already proven one thing: audiences are feeling very lucky indeed.

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 has once again become the world’s most valuable publicly traded company, surpassing Nvidia in a notable shift that reflects evolving investor priorities in the artificial intelligence era.

With a market capitalization of approximately $4.88 trillion, Apple edged past Nvidia, which stood at roughly $4.86 trillion following a 3.5% decline in its shares. This marks the first time Apple has reclaimed the top spot since April 2025, highlighting a broader rotation away from pure AI infrastructure plays toward companies with proven ecosystems and more durable revenue streams.

The move underscores growing confidence in Apple’s strategy. While the company was once viewed as lagging in the generative AI race due to more modest spending on foundational models, investors are now rewarding its focus on practical integration, services growth, and hardware upgrades. Apple’s upgraded Siri assistant, rolled out last month, aims to leverage the vast personal data within its privacy-focused iOS ecosystem to deliver more intelligent and personalized experiences.

“Apple is less exposed to the capital expenditure intensity plaguing some AI leaders and is better positioned to monetize AI through its services, ecosystem lock-in, and recurring hardware cycles,” analysts told Reuters. This re-rating emphasizes earnings stability over speculative upside.

The development arrives as CEO Tim Cook prepares to transition leadership to hardware expert John Ternus in September. It could frame Cook’s tenure positively, showcasing Apple’s ability to adapt and maintain dominance even as the tech landscape shifts.

Nvidia, which briefly became the first company to exceed $5 trillion in valuation last October, remains a powerhouse. Its GPUs continue to fuel the majority of the AI boom. However, today’s reversal signals that market leadership is fluid, with investors broadening their focus beyond chipmakers amid concerns over high AI spending levels.

Apple is not without challenges. Recent price hikes on products to counter rising costs could impact demand in price-sensitive markets. Still, its resilient Services segment and loyal user base provide a strong buffer.

What This Means Moving Forward

• For Investors: The race between Apple and Nvidia highlights the importance of diversified AI exposure — infrastructure (Nvidia) versus application and consumer integration (Apple).

• Market Implications: Expect continued volatility as sentiment swings between AI capex winners and consumer tech giants.

MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s return to the summit reaffirms its enduring strength in consumer technology. While Nvidia could reclaim the lead quickly if AI enthusiasm reignites, today’s milestone celebrates a company that has repeatedly proven its ability to innovate and lead through cycles. In the AI-driven future, Apple’s blend of hardware, software, and services may prove to be the most valuable combination of all.

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Apple has intensified its high-stakes legal fight against OpenAI by sending formal preservation letters to approximately 40 former employees who now work at the AI company, according to reports from the Financial Times and corroborated by tech outlets.

The move comes just one week after Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI (and its hardware-focused entity, io Products), along with two named former Apple executives: Tang Tan (OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer) and Chang Liu (a senior hardware team member). In the complaint, Apple accuses OpenAI of orchestrating a coordinated effort to poach talent and misappropriate confidential information related to hardware engineering, product development, manufacturing processes, and other proprietary designs.

Preservation Letters: What They Mean

These letters are not lawsuits themselves, but formal legal notices requiring recipients to preserve all potentially relevant documents, communications, emails, files, and other evidence. They serve as an early step in litigation to prevent the destruction or alteration of materials that could be critical to the case. Apple appears to believe the alleged misconduct extends beyond the individuals explicitly named in the original filing, viewing the evidence uncovered so far as potentially just the “tip of the iceberg.”

Apple’s lawsuit highlights that more than 400 former Apple employees have joined OpenAI. While hiring talent from competitors is common in Silicon Valley (especially in California, where non-compete agreements are limited), Apple alleges specific breaches involving the theft of trade secrets, violation of employment contracts, and improper use of proprietary information to accelerate OpenAI’s hardware ambitions, particularly its reported AI device development.

Background on the Dispute

• Key Defendants: OpenAI, io Products, Tang Tan (24-year Apple veteran who led product design), and Chang Liu (former senior system electrical engineer).

• Apple’s Demands: An injunction to stop OpenAI from using any Apple-derived information, plus monetary damages.

• OpenAI’s Response: The company has denied the allegations, stating it is “not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit.”

The escalation underscores growing tensions between the two tech giants. Apple, a leader in consumer hardware, is protective of its tightly controlled supply chain and engineering secrets, while OpenAI is pushing aggressively into hardware to leverage its chatbot.

This development is likely to fuel further scrutiny of talent poaching in the AI sector, where companies compete fiercely for top engineers. Legal experts note that preservation letters are standard in complex intellectual property cases and signal Apple’s intention to build a broader case through discovery.

As the lawsuit progresses, both sides will be watching closely, especially as OpenAI continues its hardware timeline reportedly unchanged despite the legal pressure. The case could set important precedents regarding employee mobility, trade secret protection, and the blurry lines between accumulated expertise and stolen proprietary information in the fast-moving tech industry.

MacDailyNews Take: OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, the AI for newbies who don’t know better alternatives exist, seems to be filled with traitors.

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Apple has quietly shut down a popular workaround that let customers finance new iPhones through T-Mobile or Verizon while still receiving fully unlocked devices.

For years, savvy buyers exploited a quirk in Apple’s sales process. They could stack generous carrier promotions — like massive trade-in credits or bill credits — on installment financing through Apple’s website or stores, and walk away with an iPhone that was carrier-unlocked from day one. This allowed them to use the phone on any network, switch carriers mid-contract, insert international eSIMs while traveling, or even resell the device at a premium before paying it off.

That loophole is now closed for T-Mobile and Verizon customers. Starting recently, any iPhone financed through these carriers’ installment plans will remain locked to the carrier until the balance is paid in full. This brings T-Mobile and Verizon in line with AT&T’s long-standing policy.

How the Loophole Worked

Carriers frequently offer deep discounts to attract customers, such as $1,100 off select iPhone models. Previously:

• AT&T-financed phones bought via Apple were locked.

• T-Mobile and Verizon versions were delivered unlocked, even when financed through their respective Equipment Installment Plans or Device Payment Programs.

Buyers took full advantage by financing through Apple’s site, claiming the carrier promo, and ending up with a flexible, unlocked flagship phone. Some used it to jump ship to cheaper MVNOs, while others flipped the devices for profit.

Apple made the change without fanfare or press release. It was first spotted by users on Reddit’s r/tmobile subreddit and confirmed via an updated FAQ on Apple’s iPhone purchase pages. The new language states clearly:

“If you choose to finance an iPhone through the AT&T Installment Plan, T-Mobile Equipment Installment Plan, or Verizon Device Payment Program, your iPhone will be locked to the carrier until paid in full.”

Why Apple Made the Change

Apple has offered no official explanation. However, the timing suggests it was responding to abuse of the system—particularly resale of subsidized but unlocked phones. The change also likely pleases carriers, who want to ensure customers remain committed during promotional periods and installment terms.

Note for current buyers: There may be a temporary mismatch. Some checkout flows still indicate T-Mobile and Verizon phones as unlocked. Always double-check the fine print before completing a purchase.

Workarounds That Still Work

The policy shift only affects carrier-financed devices. You can still get an unlocked iPhone immediately by:

• Buying it outright (no financing).

• Financing through Apple Card Monthly Installments — these remain unlocked from activation.

• Purchasing directly from third-party retailers or carriers with full upfront payment.

Once a carrier-financed phone is paid off, it will unlock automatically per standard carrier policy.

MacDailyNews Take: This update reflects Apple’s ongoing efforts to balance customer flexibility with carrier partnerships in a competitive wireless market. If you’re planning an upgrade soon, review your financing options carefully to avoid surprises.

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[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]

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In Nasdaq trading today, shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL) rose $5.76 to $333.26 to hit a new all-time closing high. Apple’s all-time intraday high was also set today at $334.68.

Apple’s 52-week low stands at $201.50.

Today’s trading volume for AAPL shares was 59,624,981 versus Apple’s average trading volume of 54,664,537 shares.

Apple’s PE Ratio currently stands at 40.40.

Apple currently has a market value of $4.895 trillion, making it the world’s second-most valuable company.

The top five U.S. publicly-traded companies, based on market value:

1. NVIDIA (NVDA) – $5.023TT
2. Apple (AAPL) – $4.895T
3. Alphabet (GOOGL) – $4.325T
4. Microsoft (MSFT) – $2.980T
5. Amazon (AMZN) – $2.688T

Selected companies’ current market values:

• Taiwan Semi (TSM): $2.109T
• Meta Platforms (META): $1.683T
• Tesla (TSLA): $1.469T
• Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A): $1.055T
• Walmart (WMT): $913.508B
• Advanced Micro Devices (AMD): $816.833B
• Dell (DELL): $253.543B
• Intel (INTC): $487.421B
• Cisco (CSCO): $431.883B
• Netflix (NFLX): $313.073B
• SoftBank (SFTBF): $223.341B
• IBM (IBM): $206.051B
• Disney (DIS): $173.009B
• Sony (SONY): $124.819B
• Spotify (SPOT): $98.404B
• Adobe (ADBE): $93.544B
• Nokia (NOK): $57.897B
• Hewlett-Packard (HPQ): $22.077B
• SiriusXM (SIRI): $10.54B
• BlackBerry (BB): $5.357B
• Sonos (SONO): $1.679B
• Liquidmetal (LQMT): $0.135B
• RealNetworks (RNWK) was delisted from U.S. exchanges on December 21, 2022 and is no longer publicly traded.

Apple all-time high (AAPL) via NASDAQ here.

MacDailyNews Take: Onward amd upward, Cupertino soldiers!

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Apple has released a new update to XProtect, its built-in malware protection tool, for all macOS versions.

This update bumps XProtect to version 5351 (from 5347) — the first broad release since early June — and adds fresh detection rules for several threats, including the Boatload stealer family and new osascript-based malware.

As usual, Apple provides no public details on the specific threats addressed. All users should check that the update has installed.

The Eclectic Light Company:
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This version adds six new Yara rules for MACOS.ANGRYORB.OX, MACOS.BOATLOAD.STCRST, MACOS.BOATLOAD.PRIN, MACOS.BOATLOAD.PEME, MACOS.VSHELL.DITA and MACOS.VSHELL.DR, amends rules for MACOS.MISOMAGIC.PA, and tidies spacing for those for MACOS.SOMA.STTX. From the rules for Boatload, that would appear to be a stealer.

Osascript rules in XPScripts.yr gain no less than 14 new rules, and amend those for MACOS.OSASCRIPT.TIPA, MACOS.OSASCRIPT.SYPR, MACOS.OSASCRIPT.TADE and MACOS.OSASCRIPT.REOB.

You can check whether this update has been installed by opening System Information via About This Mac, and selecting the Installations item under Software.

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MacDailyNews Note: More info via the full article here.

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Apple is preparing a meaningful comeback for its smallest iPad. Fresh reports indicate the next iPad mini will swap its current Liquid Retina LCD for a modern OLED display, delivering the biggest visual and quality leap since the 2021 redesign.

Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman suggests the OLED upgrade could land as soon as October.

Expected Upgrades

• Display: 8.4-inch OLED panel with superior contrast, inky blacks, and richer colors compared to the existing model. It will stick to a standard 60Hz refresh rate (not ProMotion) and moderate brightness to help control costs.

• Performance: Likely powered by an A18 Pro chip for snappy everyday use.

• Form Factor: Same beloved ultra-portable design that fits in bags, backpacks, or even larger pockets.

Pricing and Positioning

Expect a noticeable price bump. The current iPad mini already costs around $600 after recent increases, and OLED technology will likely push the new model above $700. At that point it will compete more directly with the iPad Air and even premium iPhones, so Apple will need to emphasize its unique compact appeal for note-taking, reading, travel, and secondary-screen duties.

Launch Timeline

The OLED iPad mini is targeted for a fall 2026 release (likely following the September iPhone event), ahead of more modest refreshes to the base iPad and iPad Air next year.

MacDailyNews Take: iPad mini has felt stagnant for years despite its loyal fans who prize its one-handed usability. This OLED refresh signals Apple is serious about revitalizing the lineup and giving the small tablet a modern edge that matches the rest of its portfolio.

It’s an exciting prospect for anyone who wants premium screen quality without stepping up to a larger, heavier iPad. The higher price may give some pause, but the combination of portability and upgraded visuals could make this the most compelling mini in years.

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Apple TV on Thursday announced an all-new season five of the beloved, award-winning animated kids and family series “Stillwater,” premiering with five episodes on Friday, August 21, 2026. Based on the bestselling Scholastic “Zen” book series by Jon J Muth, “Stillwater” follows a wise panda who teaches three young siblings about the world and each other. The series centers on siblings Karl (Judah Mackey), Addy (Eva Ariel Binder) and Michael (Tucker Chandler), who encounter everyday challenges — big and small — which sometimes feel insurmountable. Fortunately for these three, they have Stillwater (James Sie), a wise panda, as their next-door neighbor. Through his example, stories and gentle humor, Stillwater teaches the children the concept of mindfulness, while offering them a deeper understanding of their feelings as well as tools that help them face their own day-to-day challenges. “Stillwater” is produced for Apple TV by Gaumont and Scholastic Entertainment.

Take a deep breath and embrace your inner peace by embarking on a fun adventure with the first four seasons of “Stillwater” available on Apple TV. Through breathing exercises, mindful moments and simple everyday practices, this uplifting, Peabody and Daytime Emmy Award-winning series invites you and your family to discover your own zen through each episode. “Stillwater” was produced through Apple TV’s changemakers initiative in collaboration with awareness and intention expert Mallika Chopra, author of “Buddha and the Rose” and the “Just Be” series for kids.

Gaumont and Scholastic Entertainment produce, with Sidonie Dumas, Nicolas Atlan, Terry Kalagian, Iole Lucchese, Caitlin Friedman, Jef Kaminsky, Jun Falkenstein and Rob Hoegee serving as executive producers. In addition, the series features the voice talents of Sie, Binder, Chandler and Mackey.

The exciting slate of recent offerings for kids and families on Apple TV also features “My Brother the Minotaur,” from Academy Award-nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon and award-winning children’s media company Dog Ears; “Wonder Pets: In the City,” from Emmy Award winner Jennifer Oxley and produced by Nickelodeon Animation; animated adventure trilogy “WondLa,” based on the New York Times bestselling book series “The Search for WondLa” by Tony DiTerlizzi; highly anticipated kids and family series “Yo Gabba GabbaLand!” inspired by the hit, Emmy Award-nominated cultural phenomenon “Yo Gabba Gabba!”; season two of Emmy Award-winning “Shape Island,” based on the internationally bestselling picture books from Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen; animated fantasy adventure series “The Sisters Grimm,” based on Michael Buckley’s New York Times bestselling book series; the music-driven animated comedy series “BE@RBRICK” from DreamWorks Animation; “Goldie,” inspired by Emily Brundige’s award-winning 2019 short film of the same name, and many more.

Award-winning all-ages offerings now streaming globally on Apple TV also include the BAFTA Award and Emmy Award-winning live-action animated hybrid special “The Velveteen Rabbit,” BAFTA Award and Humanitas Prize-winning “El Deafo,” BAFTA Award-winning “Lovely Little Farm,” “Duck & Goose,” “Get Rolling With Otis,” Spin Master Entertainment’s “Sago Mini Friends,” Emmy Award-winning “Frog and Toad,” based on the Caldecott and Newbery Honor-winning books, Annie Award-nominated “Not a Box,” GLAAD Media Award-nominated “Pinecone & Pony,” The Jim Henson Company’s Emmy Award-winning “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock,” “Harriet the Spy” and “Slumberkins,” Sesame Workshop’s “Helpsters,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt, HITRECORD and Bento Box Entertainment’s “Wolfboy and the Everything Factory,” Jack McBrayer and Angela C. Santomero’s and Emmy Award-nominated “Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show.” Live-action offerings include “Me,” an elevated cinematic coming-of-age story from Barry L. Levy, Bonnie Hunt’s DGA Award and WGA Award-nominated “Amber Brown,” DGA Award-winning “Best Foot Forward,” “Surfside Girls,” WGA Award-winning “Life By Ella,” Sesame Workshop and Sinking Ship’s Emmy Award-winning “Ghostwriter,” Emmy Award and Environmental Media Association Award-winning “Jane,” and Scholastic’s “Puppy Place.” “Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth,” the Emmy Award-winning television event based on the New York Times bestselling book and TIME Best Book of the Year by Oliver Jeffers, is also featured.

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 850 wins and 3,737 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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In a major boost to American domestic manufacturing, the Trump Administration today announced that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is committing an additional $100 billion in investments for advanced semiconductor facilities in the United States. This brings TSMC’s total planned investment to $265 billion — one of the largest foreign direct investments in American history.

The announcement, made jointly by the White House and the Department of Commerce, highlights the success of strategic trade and investment partnerships, particularly the historic U.S.-Taiwan deal signed in January 2026. As a direct result, TSMC will build four additional advanced semiconductor manufacturing and packaging facilities, bringing its U.S. footprint to 12 leading-edge facilities, primarily in Arizona.

Building on Momentum

This latest expansion builds on previous commitments. TSMC’s original plans started at around $65 billion, which were later increased. The new infusion underscores sustained momentum under the current administration’s focus on reshoring critical supply chains.

In a statement, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized the job-creating impact, “President Trump’s leadership is driving companies to invest in American manufacturing. TSMC’s announcement of an additional $100 billion investment following our historic deal on trade and investment with Taiwan will create tens of thousands of American jobs and bring advanced semiconductor manufacturing back to America.”

TSMC Chairman and CEO Dr. C.C. Wei echoed the sentiment, crediting collaboration with the administration and strong U.S. customer demand, “We appreciate the strong collaboration and support of the Trump Administration, Secretary Lutnick and our leading U.S. customers… This is to support the strong multi-year demand from our leading U.S. customers, and we believe this investment will further foster the development of the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem, strengthen the supply chain, and support significant job creation in the United States.”

Economic and Strategic Impact

The investments are expected to generate significant construction and high-tech jobs, along with billions in indirect economic output. Beyond direct facilities, the broader U.S.-Taiwan trade and investment framework is catalyzing an additional $500 billion in Taiwanese investments — $250 billion in direct semiconductor and related enterprises, plus another $250 billion to strengthen the full supply chain in the U.S.

This move addresses long-standing concerns about reliance on overseas production for advanced chips, especially those critical for AI, defense, automotive, and consumer electronics. By expanding domestic capacity with a world-leading foundry like TSMC, the U.S. strengthens its position in the global semiconductor race while creating high-paying opportunities for American workers.

The Trump Administration’s approach, which combines diplomatic deals, incentives for onshoring, and a focus on national security, continues to yield concrete results in rebuilding America’s industrial base.
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MacDailyNews Take: With 12 state-of-the-art facilities on track, America is poised to capture a much larger share of advanced chip production. This not only bolsters economic competitiveness, but also enhances supply chain resilience against geopolitical risks.

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Apple has significantly boosted its orders for vapor chamber cooling systems, primarily to support production of its highly anticipated first foldable iPhone, according to a Chinese supply chain leaker. The move also points to advanced thermal management in the company’s upcoming Twentieth Anniversary iPhone slated for 2027.

The information comes from the Weibo account “Fixed Focus Digital,” a source that has previously shared details about Apple’s foldable device. The increased orders will first go toward manufacturing the book-style foldable iPhone, internally referred to as the “iPhone Ultra,” which is on track for a September 2026 debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

Apple has reportedly instructed suppliers to prepare around 10 million units of the foldable iPhone for 2026, an increase from earlier projections of 7–8 million. This ramp-up signals strong confidence in the device’s production readiness despite the complexities of its folding mechanism.

Advanced Cooling for a Challenging Form Factor

Fixed Focus Digital previously indicated that the foldable iPhone would feature “impressive” vapor chamber cooling, with Apple “going all out” on its thermal design. This makes sense given the device’s expected thin profile when unfolded (rumored around 4.5–5mm) and the space constraints of a foldable chassis, which could limit traditional heat dissipation options.

Apple first introduced vapor chamber technology in the iPhone 17 Pro models last year. The system uses a small amount of deionized water to efficiently transfer heat away from the powerful A-series chip and spread it across the device’s aluminum frame, helping sustain high performance without thermal throttling.

The same cooling approach is now expected to extend to the foldable iPhone Ultra and potentially the 2027 anniversary iPhones, which are rumored to feature dramatic edge-to-edge displays with glass curving around all four sides for a nearly borderless look.

Broader Context and Timeline

The foldable iPhone is expected to include a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch cover screen, an A20 chip, and a Touch ID power button, with pricing likely starting near $2,000. Recent reports confirm that mass production is underway, with key components like OLED panels already in production at Samsung Display.

Meanwhile, Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhones are planned for two sizes similar to the iPhone 18 Pro models. These devices could mark a major redesign, potentially returning to an all-glass enclosure.

MacDailyNews Take: This latest leak aligns with Apple’s aggressive push into new form factors while maintaining the performance and reliability standards users expect from its flagship devices. As the September launch approaches, more details on the iPhone Ultra’s final specifications are likely to emerge from the supply chain.

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Apple is preparing to introduce advertising to its Maps app in the United States and Canada this summer, but the company has drawn some distinctly Apple-style lines in the sand about who gets to advertise there.

In a new Advertising Services policy update, Apple explicitly prohibits several ad categories from appearing in search results and Suggested Places within Maps. The banned list includes home services such as plumbing, electrical work, locksmithing, HVAC repairs, pest control, roofing, and general contracting. Also off-limits: bail bond services and cryptocurrency ATMs.

Medical service ads will be considered on a case-by-case basis, which is Apple’s polite way of saying “we’ll let you know if your ad passes our vibe check.”

The restrictions set Apple Maps apart from Google Maps, where home services represent one of the biggest local advertising categories. While Google happily serves up sponsored results for roofers and plumbers, Apple appears intent on keeping its Maps experience focused on businesses users can actually use Maps to visit without needing a hard hat or a getaway driver.

Apple’s broader advertising rules remain in force as well — no ads for weapons, controlled substances, political campaigns, or anything that competes with (or knocks off) Apple products. (Sorry, Samsung. Not sorry.) The company also continues its long-standing bans on deceptive claims, discriminatory content, and anything it deems offensive or controversial.

Ads in Maps will carry a clear “Ad” label, and Apple emphasizes that user location data and ad interactions will not be tied to Apple IDs or shared with third parties.The move comes months after Apple first announced plans for Maps monetization as part of its Apple Business platform. While many users have already expressed dread at the arrival of ads in what was previously a relatively clean navigation experience, the selective restrictions have sparked a mix of reactions — ranging from relief that emergency “my basement is flooding” searches won’t be interrupted by sponsored plumbing offers, to mild confusion about why perfectly legal (if occasionally sketchy) services are getting the boot.
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MacDailyNews Take: In typical Apple fashion, the company is threading the needle between revenue generation and maintaining its reputation for curation. The result? A Maps app that will happily tell you where to get the best latte, but won’t lift a finger to help you when your kitchen sink stages a rebellion.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a major Apple supplier and the world’s largest contract chipmaker, has reported an outstanding second-quarter performance that underscores the relentless momentum in the artificial intelligence sector.

According to Reuters, TSMC posted a 77% jump in second-quarter net profit on Thursday, beating market forecasts and hitting a record high, driven by surging global demand for its artificial intelligence processors.

“TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, posted a 77% jump in second-quarter net profit on Thursday, beating market forecasts and hitting a record, riding the wave of surging global demand for its artificial intelligence processors,” Reuters reports.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. saw April-June net profit rise to T$706.6 billion ($21.99 billion).

The results significantly outperformed expectations. The profit handily beat a T$632.6 billion LSEG SmartEstimate, which is weighted toward forecasts from analysts who are more consistently accurate.

MacDailyNews Take: This strong performance highlights TSMC’s pivotal role in the global semiconductor supply chain, powering everything from advanced AI chips to consumer electronics. As demand for high-performance computing continues to accelerate (particularly for AI applications) TSMC’s results signal robust health not just for the company, but for the broader tech ecosystem.

TSMC’s record quarter serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the global economy.

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If you’ve ever sent what you thought was a clear butterfly emoji only for your friend to see something totally different, or used a cucumber when you really meant “I’m in a full-on pickle,” Apple is about to make your iMessage life a lot smoother. The latest Unicode Emoji 18.0 release, heading to all capable Apple devices next spring, brings fresh symbols while standardizing old ones so everyone sees the exact same thing.

Written by Jennifer Daniel (Unicode Emoji Subcommittee Chair), the new additions and refinements tackle exactly the kind of tiny frustrations that break the flow in fast-paced iOS conversations:

Cracked Smiling Face: For When “I’m Fine” Is a Lie

This one hits hard. The Cracked Face emoji visually shows that moment your “everything’s perfect” mask starts to splinter. On Apple devices, it will render with the emotional depth iOS users expect — perfect for those “haha yeah…” replies that actually mean the opposite.

Pickle Emoji Finally Gets Its Own Jar

Yes, we had a cucumber. But a pickle? That’s been through it. The new Pickle separates the fresh veggie from the fermented survivor, giving you the perfect shorthand for “I’m in a situation.” Apple’s crisp rendering will make it pop in every group chat.

Monarch Butterfly: No More Blue-vs-Orange Mix-Ups

One of the biggest wins: the Monarch Butterfly. Previously, depending on the phone, you might have sent a blue Morpho aesthetic while your recipient saw the iconic orange-and-black traveler. Now standardized, the Monarch brings themes of resilience and long-distance journeys straight to your iPhone keyboard with perfect consistency.

More Highlights Coming to Apple Devices

• Lighthouse: Your new symbol for guidance through stormy times.

• Meteor: Distinct from the wish-making Comet. Ideal for “everything is exploding” energy.

• Eraser, Directional Thumbs, and a Net with Handle that works as an action verb — catching vibes, pulling in ideas, or netting chaos.

These changes reflect Unicode’s ongoing push for better interoperability, and Apple continues to lead by delivering them with beautiful, high-fidelity artwork that feels native to iOS. No more “what does this look like on your end?” texts — just seamless emoji communication.

Next spring, when these roll out, your keyboard gets richer, your reactions get sharper, and those little digital misunderstandings shrink just a bit more.

Why This Feels Especially Apple

Apple has always treated emoji as a core part of the iMessage experience. With Emoji 18.0, that experience gets even stronger: more expressive tools, fewer visual mismatches, and designs that take full advantage of Retina displays and Dynamic Island flair.

MacDailyNews Take: For emoji aficionados, Spring 2027 can’t come soon enough!

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In Nasdaq trading today, shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL) rose $12.64 to $327.50 to hit a new all-time closing high. Apple’s all-time intraday high was also set today at $328.72.

Apple’s 52-week low stands at $201.50.

Today’s trading volume for AAPL shares was 58,741,821 versus Apple’s average trading volume of 54,375,570 shares.

Apple’s PE Ratio currently stands at 39.70.

Apple currently has a market value of $4.810 trillion, making it the world’s second-most valuable company.

The top five U.S. publicly-traded companies, based on market value:

1. NVIDIA (NVDA) – $5.147T
2. Apple (AAPL) – $4.810T
3. Alphabet (GOOGL) – $4.526T
4. Microsoft (MSFT) – $2.939T
5. Amazon (AMZN) – $2.743T

Selected companies’ current market values:

• Taiwan Semi (TSM): $2.195T
• Meta Platforms (META): $1.667T
• Tesla (TSLA): $1.483T
• Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A): $1.073T
• Walmart (WMT): $913.03B
• Advanced Micro Devices (AMD): $871.377B
• Intel (INTC): $518.281B
• Cisco (CSCO): $469.977B
• IBM (IBM): $273.502B
• Dell (DELL): $275.78B
• Netflix (NFLX): $310.925B
• SoftBank (SFTBF): $218.098B
• Disney (DIS): $166.688B
• Sony (SONY): $122.34B
• Spotify (SPOT): $99.839B
• Adobe (ADBE): $91.669B
• Nokia (NOK): $65.958B
• Hewlett-Packard (HPQ): $22.653B
• SiriusXM (SIRI): $10.487B
• BlackBerry (BB): $6.286B
• Sonos (SONO): ~$1.98B
• Liquidmetal (LQMT): ~$0.135B
• RealNetworks (RNWK) was delisted from U.S. exchanges on December 21, 2022 and is no longer publicly traded.

Apple all-time high (AAPL) via NASDAQ here.

MacDailyNews Take: Gaudy (yet still woefully undervalued)! To the moon, Alice. To the moon!

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