The system Apple set up to enable EU residents to load apps onto their iPhones outside the App Store violates the Digital Markets Act, according to a decision handed down Wednesday by the European Commission. It cites “overly strict eligibility requirements” and Apple’s new Core Technology Fee as reasons.
It’s a preliminary decision, but if Apple doesn’t make the app sideloading process easier, the DMA gives the European Commission the right to hit the iPhone maker with hefty fines.
Two new videos surfaced recently that use dummy units to show just how incredibly — even shockingly — thin the iPhone 17 Air will be when it comes out in several months.
“That’s futuristic,” one reviewer exclaimed, adding he doubted Apple will sell any other iPhone Series 17 models when customers see and feel the rumored slim model.
The European Union socked Apple with a fine of 500 million euros ($570 million) Wednesday for breaking antisteering rules in the Digital Markets Act. It also fined Meta 200 million euros for DMA violations.
The two companies face further fines if they don’t make the changes the EU demands.
In an effort to attract new viewers in a hugely competitive streaming market, Apple TV+ unveiled a limited-time promotion Wednesday. It offers a steep 70% discount on Apple TV+ subscriptions for both new and qualified returning subscribers through April 24. The steal of a deal’s timing coincides with Friday’s premiere of Your Friends & Neighbors with Jon Hamm as a rich guy-turned-thief.
The special offer allows eligible customers to subscribe to Apple TV+ for just $2.99 per month for three months, a significant savings from the regular $9.99 monthly fee. This brings the total cost to approximately $9 for the three-month period, making it one of the most affordable ways to access a premium streaming service in today’s competitive market.
Update: Grab the two-thirds off discount on Apple TV+ subscriptions now, because it ends Thursday, April 24.
If the U.S. federal judge orders Google to sell Chrome, OpenAI would be willing to buy it. Nick Turley, the head of ChatGPT at OpenAI, revealed this during his testimony in the ongoing Google antitrust trial.
When asked if OpenAI would buy Chrome, he replied, “Yes, we would, and so would many other parties.”
Despite all the criticism and negative publicity, more U.S. iPhone users are willing to pay for Apple Intelligence than before. A survey conducted by Morgan Stanley found “stronger-than-expected Apple Intelligence engagement.”
The survey results also suggest that more than 80% of U.S. iPhone users tried Apple Intelligence in the last six months.
In what might be the biggest battery recycling news of the decade, scientists in China found a way to achieve nearly 100% voltage recovery in worn-out lithium-ion batteries by precisely heating them to high temperatures while applying voltage. This has the potential for “rejuvenating aging batteries, making old electric vehicles like new,” according to the institute where the research was conducted.
This is exactly the sort of news one hopes for on Earth Day.
In a shake-up aimed at revitalizing Apple’s aging Siri voice assistant, the iPhone giant brought in Mike Rockwell to lead a comprehensive overhaul now in progress, according to a new report. First, the former head of Vision Pro software continues revitalizing the Siri leadership team in the Vision Pro team’s image.
A cutting-edge pair of AI sports glasses feature innovative audio technology from xMEMS Labs, the company said Tuesday. The new BleeqUp Ranger glasses, developed by Chinese startup BleeqUp, represents the first commercial use of a xMEMS solid state microtweeter in AI eyewear — but likely not the only one.
“xMEMS is proud to help power the next generation of AI wearables,” said Steven Bentley, VP of worldwide sales at xMEMS Labs. “The integration of Cowell into BleeqUp’s glasses not only showcases the high-fidelity performance of our MEMS speakers. We’re excited to help more companies accelerate their path to market with compact, high-performance audio solutions for AI glasses.”
Perhaps that, or the upcoming uses of xMEMS Labs’ Sycamore microspeaker, could signal a new direction for Apple if it revives its smart glasses project.
Odds are, you’re not taking advantage of all the useful things your Apple Watch can do for you. That’s because we all tend to grab our iPhone, even when it’s not the best option. I started using my smartwatch much more after I began asking myself one simple question whenever I grab my iPhone: “Would this be easier on my Apple Watch?”
You should try it, too.
In a shock to dedicated fans, Apple TV+ canceled Mythic Quest after the show’s fourth season. The gaming-oriented workplace comedy concluded March 26 with an intended season finale, not a series finale. So Apple greenlit a redo of the last episode’s cliffhanger ending so it will actually end the whole show. Now it’s out.
Update: Attention, bereft Mythic Quest fans: The new season four ending is now streaming with a revamped episode 10, “Heaven and Hell.” It officially ends the show, typing up some loose ends and removing some cliffhangers. Reshooting a series ending is a rare thing in TV, so at least you have some closure. And if you haven’t checked out the spinoff anthology series Side Quest, there’s that, too.
In an unusual move from Keychron blending ergonomic comfort with high-performance gaming specs, the keyboard specialist released its new M5 Wireless Ergonomic Mouse earlier this month. The device makes for an interesting peripheral launch because you don’t see a mouse mashing up professional ergonomic features and technical gaming capabilities every day.
Apple’s struggles in China continue. In Q1 2025, the company fell to fifth place, despite the overall smartphone market growing by 3.3%.
Huawei and Oppo made the most of Apple’s fall, registering double-digit growth.
Into a market filled with standard iPhone cases, Apple accessories designer Sodi brings a sensory innovation — or maybe overload — that promises to transform how iPhone users interact with their devices. The Sodi Aroma Scent Phone Case, designed exclusively for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models, launched Thursday on Kickstarter. It infuses fragrance technology with everyday smartphone use.
In other words, the cases make your iPhone smell … in a nice way, and very much on purpose.
Apple may soon release a lighter, thinner version of its Vision Pro headset that may go by the name of “Vision Air,” according to multiple leaks Wednesday and Thursday from a semi-reliable source. The new device would represent a significant redesign focused on weight reduction while potentially offering a more affordable alternative to the $3,500 Vision Pro. And it might come in a bluish-black color rather than Vision Pro’s silver.
Despite its flaws, Apple Intelligence packs some useful features. Among them, Writing Tools lets you rewrite, summarize, and proofread text using AI.
Sadly, you cannot use Writing Tools to draft your Facebook posts or WhatsApp chats, as Meta blocks the use of this feature in its apps.
British actor David Oyelowo stars in the new “surrealist family comedy” Government Cheese, coming to Apple TV+ in spring 2025.
Oyelowo is always good — he also features in Apple’s very popular sci-fi series Silo — so it may be worth checking this one out.
Update: The comedy series is now streaming on Apple TV+. The review-aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes says, “Peculiar and peppy, Government Cheese has some holes but gets by on the strength of its nutty writing and a collection of tangy performances.”
Wednesday brought system software patches to an array of Apple devices, all intended to fix bugs. This includes the release of iOS 18.4.1 to remove a bug that prevented some iPhone users from accessing CarPlay over a wireless connection. There are two important security fixes, too.
Plus, Apple also made macOS Sequoia 15.4.1, iPadOS 18.4.1, tvOS 18.4.1 and visionOS 2.4.1 available at the same time. But no equivalent watchOS update appeared.
Apple reduced its global greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% compared to 2015 levels, the company said Wednesday. It marks substantial progress toward the company’s Apple 2030 initiative goal of carbon neutrality.
And, as part of its Earth Day run-up, the company also confirmed rumors of an Apple in-store recycling deal that offers 10% off accessories when you turn in an Apple device through May 16.
“We’re incredibly proud of the progress we’re making toward Apple 2030, which touches every part of our business,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, in a press release. “Today, we’re using more clean energy and recycled materials to make our products than ever before, we’re preserving water and preventing waste around the world, and we’re investing big in nature.”
Four talented Indian filmmakers push creative boundaries, showing how iPhone 16 Pro Max does movies right and demonstrating how Apple’s latest technology democratizes high-quality filmmaking, Apple said Tuesday in a feature story. The emerging auteurs’ work is part of the 2025 MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone program.
The 2018 Intel-based Mac mini has officially entered Apple’s vintage list. Alongside this, the 2015 iPhone 6s also joins the list.
This means that these products will only receive limited repair support from Apple.
With Tuesday’s Beats Cables launch, Apple subsidiary Beats officially entered the charging accessories market with its first-ever collection of reinforced charging cables. They bring the brand’s signature style to an often overlooked but essential product category. Available at apple.com, new Beats Cables feature a tangle-free woven design specifically engineered to prevent fraying and increase durability.
Unlike rival item trackers, the Chipolo Pop doesn’t force you to choose between iPhone and Android. You can find your misplaced keys or cat with either Apple’s Find My network or Google’s Find My Device.
Plus, the Bluetooth tracker tag comes in a range of colors.
Apple chose Samsung Display as the exclusive supplier of OLED panels for its first foldable iPhone, expected to launch in 2026, according to a new report. The decision marks a departure from Apple’s typical multi-supplier strategy. It could help ensure high quality and reinvigorate the foldable OLED market.
Apple’s AI efforts don’t have to be hampered by its commitment to user privacy. A blog post published Monday explains how the company can generate the data needed to train its large language models without the privacy violations caused by Apple itself reading people’s emails or messages.
It’s an indirect, opt-in system that takes advantage of the small AIs the Apple builds into millions of users’ devices.