Hardware announcements for the week of January 26-30
° WITHit is ringing in 2026 with the release of their latest Black Titanium Band for Apple Watch. Featured in a sleek black colorway it’s described as the company’s most durable band yet. ° Baseus has launched its US$179 Nomos II series: a 6-in-1 245W model....
Software announcements for the week of January 26-30
Here are some of the latest software announcements: ° Stellar has released upgraded versions of its US$59.99 flagship Data Recovery Software for Mac and Windows devices. Building on improvements from 2025, these upgrades bring features that the company says...
iPhone Upgrade Programme in the UK is coming to an end
On its iPhone Upgrade Programme page in the UK, Apple says the program is coming to an end, “but we think you’ll love what’s next.” From the page: You don’t need to do anything right now, just keep making your remaining payments. When it’s time for your next iPhone,...
Gartner: 35% of Countries Will Be Locked Into Region-Specific AI Platforms by 2027
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News items you should check out: January 30
Since I can’t cover everything, here are some recommended articles from other websites. ° From Cult of Mac: Apple just gave new subscribers an extended opportunity to try its music streaming service, offering three months of Apple Music completely free. ° From...
Apple’s quarterly revenue for its fiscal first quarter of 2026 was up 16% year-over-year
Apple has announced financial results for its fiscal 2026 first quarter that ended December 27, 2025. The company posted quarterly revenue of US$143.8 billion, up 16% year-over-year. Diluted earnings per share was $2.84, up 19 percent year over year. “Today,...
Electronic Frontier Foundation wants tech companies like Apple to ‘Encrypt It Already’
The non-profit Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has launched an “Encrypt It Already” campaign, push to get companies to offer stronger privacy protections to data and communications by implementing end-to-end encryption. If that name sounds a little...
Apple scoops up Israel company working on AI for audio
Apple has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup working on artificial intelligence technology for audio, reports Reuters. Details of the deal haven’t been announced. Q.ai’s founding team will join Apple, including CEO Aviad Maizels, who previously founded...
‘F1′ is the most-watched film in Apple TV’s history
Apple has announced in an “X” post that “F1” is the most-watched film in Apple TV history. In the post, star Brad Pitt announces the accomplishment to be “impressive.” The film is now streaming on Apple TV. “F1” is nominated for Best Picture at the 2026 Academy...
Global iPhone shipments grew 7% to 240.6 million units in 2025
The latest research from Omdia reveals that global smartphone shipments grew by 2% in 2025 to 1.25 billion units, marking the highest annual level since 2021. However, it was good news for Apple. All regions grew compared to 2024, except for Greater China, which...
iPhone 16 was the World’s Best-selling Smartphone in 2025
Apple’s iPhone 16 was the best-selling smartphone globally in 2025, according to Counterpoint Research’s Global Handset Model Sales Tracker. Apple and Samsung dominated the Top 10 list for the fourth consecutive year, with these 10 models contributing 19% of the...
Latest Apple Pay promo is for ordering flowers for Valentine’s Day
Apple is offering Apple Play users in the U.S. a discount on flowers ahead of Valentine’s Day. Customers can get US $20 off of a 1-800-Flowers purchase of $49.99 or more. The discount is available from through February 12. It’s available when ordering flowers...
Apple’s variable aperture camera system for iPhone 18 models purportedly reaches the sampling stage
Apple’s rumored variable aperture camera system for this year’s iPhone 18 Pro models has reached the sampling stage, according the Chinese leaker “Smart Pikachu.” MacRumors notes that a variable aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro could improve exposure control,...
Apple TV shares first look at second season of ‘Criminal Record’
Apple TV has unveiled a first look at the season two return of “Criminal Record,” the crime thriller starring Academy Award winner and BAFTA Award winner Peter Capaldi, and Laurence Olivier Award nominee and Critics Choice Award nominee Cush Jumbo. The...
News items you should check out: January 29
Since I can’t cover everything, here are some recommended articles from other websites. ° From 9to5Mac: A new trial suggests Apple Watch could make a meaningful difference in what happens after atrial fibrillation ablation, not by changing the procedure itself,...
Sebastiann de With has joined the Design team at Apple
Sebastiann de With, a Dutch designer living in Santa Cruz, California, has announced that he’s joined the Design Team at Apple. In the post he says he’s “so excited to work with the very best team in the world on my favorite products.” De With is the co-founder of...
Apple TV closes ‘unprecedented deal’ for the rights to the ‘Cosmere’ books by Brandon Sanderson
Apple TV has closed what has been described as an unprecedented deal to land the rights to the Cosmere books, the fictional literary universe by fantasy author Brandon Sanderson, reports The Hollywood Reporter. The first titles being eyed for adaptation are the...
Apple, Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon amassed US $7.8 billion in fines for privacy and competition violations in 2025
According to data released today by Proton — and as noted by techradar — Apple, Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon amassed US $7.8 billion in fines for privacy and competition violations in 2025. Yet, they could pay off this entire debt in just 28 days. While the $7.8...
Apple updates the standalone and Creator Studio versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro
Apple has updated its Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro apps for both the stand-alone apps and the versions in the new Apple Creator Studio bundle. Following are Apple’s release notes for the updates: Here’s what’s new in all versions of Final Cut Pro Powerful Intelligence...
Pixelmator Pro available as a standalone app for the iPad
Along with its inclusion in the new Apple Creator Studio bundle, Apple has released Pixelmator Pro for the iPad as a standalone app. It sports a touch-optimized workspace and Apple Pencil support. You can also transfer work between it and the Mac version of Pixelmator...
Apple updates Keynote, Numbers, Pages apps for the Mac, iPad, and iPhone
Apple has updated its Keynote, Numbers, and Pages apps for the Mac, iPad, and iPhone. However, the apps in the new Apple Creator Studio bundle have features that the stand-alone apps aren’t receiving. Here’s what’s new in the Keynote app for all users: • Experience a...
Catch some first look photos of ‘Ted Lasso’ season four (which is coming this summer)
In July 2025 it was reported that the fourth season of “Ted Lasso” was underway. Now Deadline reports that the season will make its global debut this summer. Along with the announcement, the streamer released four first-look images from the new season of the...
Apple’s Creator Studio app collection for the Mac and iPad now available
Apple’s Creator Studio app collection for the Mac and iPad is now available at the company’s respective app stores. The apps included with Apple Creator Studio for video editing, music making, creative imaging, and visual productivity. Exciting new intelligent...
Apple CEO is ‘heartbroken by the events in Minneapolis’
Apple CEO Tim Cook has responded to events in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where two people were shot and killed by U.S. ICE officials. In an internal memo to Apple employees, obtained by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Cook said he is “heartbroken by the events in Minneapolis....
Apple releases third public betas of macOS Tahoe 26.3, iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3
Apple has released the third public betas of macOS Tahoe 26.3. iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and watchOS 26.3. Public betas are available on Apple’s Beta Software Program website. Just remember that beta software is unfinished software, so proceed with care....
Apple releases third public betas of macOS Tahoe 26.3, iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3
Apple has released the third public betas of macOS Tahoe 26.3. iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and watchOS 26.3. Public betas are available on Apple’s Beta Software Program website. Just remember that beta software is unfinished software, so proceed with care....
Apple releases third public betas of macOS Tahoe 26.3, iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3
Apple has released the third public betas of macOS Tahoe 26.3. iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and watchOS 26.3. Public betas are available on Apple’s Beta Software Program website. Just remember that beta software is unfinished software, so proceed with care....
Apple releases third public betas of macOS Tahoe 26.3, iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3
Apple has released the third public betas of macOS Tahoe 26.3. iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and watchOS 26.3. Public betas are available on Apple’s Beta Software Program website. Just remember that beta software is unfinished software, so proceed with care....
Suspicious ads appeared in Google search results which contain harmful content for Mac users
MacKeeper researchers say they’ve found that suspicious ads appeared in Google search results that contain harmful content for Mac users. Google Ads shows sponsored results for “mac cleaner” that lead users to landing pages with a design similar to Apple’s official...
Apple’s hypertension notifications in seven more countries
Apple’s hypertension notifications are now available for Apple Watch and iPhone users in Australia, Malaysia, Colombia, Indonesia, South Korea, Brazil, and Turkey, notes MacRumors. The feature was announced in September 2025. It can alert users if signs of chronic...