Apple is making strategic moves to bring Apple Intelligence to its devices in China, but its search for a local AI partner has been anything but straightforward. According to a recent report from The Information, the company has been carefully evaluating potential collaborators, ultimately deciding against DeepSeek, a Chinese AI firm that has been making waves for its efficient and cost-effective models. Despite DeepSeek’s technological advancements, Apple opted not to pursue a partnership with the company, a decision that comes as some governments impose restrictions on its software over privacy concerns. Instead, Apple has explored multiple alternatives, assessing AI models from some of China’s biggest tech players, including Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance. The selection process has been critical for Apple, as regulations require it to work with a domestic AI provider to integrate Apple Intelligence features into its products in China. After considering several options, the company appears to be advancing discussions with Alibaba, with both companies reportedly submitting AI features for regulatory approval. With the demand for AI-powered features growing, securing the right partnership will be key to Apple's long-term success in one of its most important markets.

Apple’s long-awaited transition to OLED displays in its MacBook lineup is finally taking shape, with the MacBook Pro expected to make the switch in 2026. A new report from The Elec confirms that Samsung Display has begun working on OLED panel samples for Apple, with mass production set to begin next year. This shift will mark a major upgrade from the current mini-LED technology, offering deeper blacks, improved contrast, and greater power efficiency thanks to self-emissive pixels. Alongside the new display, the MacBook Pro is expected to undergo a significant design refresh, potentially featuring slimmer bezels, a lighter build, and a punch-hole camera replacing the notch. Apple is likely to use advanced two-stack tandem OLED panels for these models, which offer increased brightness and longer lifespan compared to standard single-stack OLEDs. While the MacBook Pro is moving ahead, the MacBook Air’s transition to OLED appears to be facing delays. Previous reports suggested a 2027 or 2028 launch, but The Elec now indicates that Apple has pushed the timeline further—possibly beyond 2029. When it does arrive, the MacBook Air is expected to use a single-stack OLED panel, which is less advanced but more cost-efficient. Apple’s cautious approach follows its pattern of optimizing new display technology before adoption. The move to OLED not only keeps pace with competitors already offering OLED laptops but could also be a stepping stone toward Apple’s long-term ambition of introducing microLED displays. With Samsung ramping up production, the OLED MacBook Pro is on track for 2026.

Apple has officially unveiled the long-awaited Powerbeats Pro 2, marking a significant upgrade to its popular fitness-focused earbuds. Arriving nearly six years after the original model, the latest iteration refines the design while introducing notable improvements in sound quality, battery life, and health tracking. Designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, the Powerbeats Pro 2 retain the signature ear hook for a secure fit during workouts. The earbuds are now 20% lighter, with strengthened nickel alloy hooks for durability. One of the most anticipated additions is built-in heart rate monitoring, utilizing LED optical sensors to track real-time data during exercise. This feature integrates with Apple’s Health app and several major fitness platforms, though some popular apps remain unsupported at launch. Apple has also introduced significant audio enhancements. The Powerbeats Pro 2 now feature Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Adaptive EQ for personalized sound tuning, and improved noise cancellation, matching the technology found in the AirPods Pro 2. Battery performance has seen a major boost as well—while the earbuds themselves offer a modest increase to 10 hours of playback, the redesigned charging case extends total battery life from 24 to an impressive 45 hours. The new model transitions from Apple’s W2 chip to the more advanced H2, enhancing connectivity and efficiency. Additionally, Apple has eliminated the Lightning port, replacing it with USB-C, and added wireless charging for more convenience. With an IPX4 rating, the earbuds maintain the same sweat and water resistance as AirPods, ensuring durability for workouts. Priced at $250, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are available online starting today and will hit stores on February 13. Apple is backing the launch with a high-profile marketing push, featuring endorsements from sports icons like LeBron James, Lionel Messi, and Shohei Ohtani.

Apple has introduced a new feature that allows users to consolidate their purchases from multiple Apple IDs, making it easier for those with separate accounts to merge their content. This long-awaited update gives users the ability to transfer apps, music, and other digital purchases from a secondary account to a primary one, streamlining access to their content without the hassle of managing multiple accounts. The process, however, comes with certain requirements. Both accounts must be signed in on the same iPhone or iPad, with the primary account logged into iCloud and the secondary account linked to Media & Purchases. Additionally, both accounts must be set to the same region, have two-factor authentication enabled, and not be part of different Family Sharing groups. Apple also specifies that the secondary account cannot have an outstanding balance, rentals, or pre-orders, and users must wait at least 15 days after their last purchase before initiating the transfer.

Apple has begun renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" in its Maps app, with some users noticing the change when tapping on the location. While the update is rolling out in the U.S., Apple plans to expand it globally over time. The shift follows an update to the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which both Apple and Google rely on for official place names. Google Maps and Waze have also adopted the new label, though outside the U.S., the traditional name remains, sometimes with "Gulf of America" in parentheses. The change has sparked debate, as other countries are not required to recognize the new name. Meanwhile, another proposed revision—renaming Denali back to Mount McKinley—has yet to be reflected in Apple or Google’s mapping services. For now, the update continues to roll out, raising questions about its broader acceptance.

Apple has officially finalized its acquisition of Pixelmator, following regulatory approval that cleared the way for the deal’s completion. The transition became evident as Pixelmator updated its suite of apps—including Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator—with a new splash screen marking the milestone. Known for its user-friendly yet powerful image editing capabilities, Pixelmator has long been a favorite among creatives seeking an alternative to Adobe’s Photoshop. Exclusively designed for Apple devices, its software is optimized for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, offering a seamless experience that takes advantage of Apple’s hardware and ecosystem. For now, Apple has made no immediate changes to Pixelmator’s apps, and they remain available as standalone downloads on the App Store. While speculation lingers about whether Apple will integrate Pixelmator’s technology into its operating systems, the company has not announced any plans to do so. Apple’s own Photos app includes built-in editing tools, but a dedicated pro-level solution hasn’t been part of its lineup since the discontinuation of Aperture in 2015. Whether this leads to deeper system-wide integrations or an evolution of Apple’s own photo software remains to be seen, but for now, Pixelmator’s apps continue to operate independently under Apple’s ownership.

Elon Musk’s attempt to take control of OpenAI has been met with outright rejection, escalating his ongoing feud with the company’s CEO, Sam Altman. Musk and a group of investors recently put forward a staggering $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI’s non-profit arm, aiming to reshape its future. However, Altman swiftly dismissed the offer, publicly responding with a counterproposal that seemed more like a jab than a serious business move. Altman took to X, the social media platform owned by Musk, to decline the proposal in the most direct way possible. The rejection marks another chapter in the long and turbulent history between the two tech moguls. Once co-founders of OpenAI, Musk and Altman have since become bitter rivals, clashing over the direction of artificial intelligence development. Musk was an early supporter of OpenAI, both financially and as a board member, but he stepped away in 2018 after failing to gain control of the company. Since then, he has been vocal in his criticism, arguing that OpenAI has abandoned its original mission as a non-profit research lab in favor of commercial ambitions. Musk’s legal battles against OpenAI have further fueled tensions. He has repeatedly accused the company of betraying its commitment to developing AI for the public good, filing lawsuits in an effort to prevent it from shifting toward a more profit-driven structure. His latest bid to regain influence over OpenAI was positioned as an effort to restore its original purpose, but Altman’s public dismissal makes it clear that the company has no intention of entertaining his offer. OpenAI’s rapid rise in the AI industry has put it at the center of major debates about the future of artificial intelligence, attracting both admiration and scrutiny. Its breakout success with ChatGPT led to skyrocketing valuations and increased corporate interest, leading to its complex transformation from a non-profit into a business backed by major investors. That shift has been a major point of contention for Musk, whose own AI startup, xAI, was launched in 2023 to rival OpenAI’s dominance. While Musk’s bid was a bold attempt to reclaim influence, it appears to have backfired. Instead of negotiating, Altman’s public rejection turned the tables, turning what could have been a high-stakes business maneuver into a spectacle of online banter. The battle over OpenAI’s future is far from over, but for now, Musk’s latest move has ended in an emphatic and very public rejection.

Apple is accelerating its push into robotics, ramping up hiring and research efforts as it explores future smart home devices. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman , the company has been quietly working on robotics technology for years, with its efforts now gaining momentum after the dissolution of its self-driving car division last year. Two internal teams are driving Apple’s robotics ambitions: the Home Labs hardware engineering group and an AI-focused special projects team led by Kevin Lynch. While long-term plans remain in the research phase, Apple is reportedly developing a tabletop robot that could serve as an extension of its smart home ecosystem, with a possible launch targeted for 2027. Signs of Apple’s growing commitment to robotics have surfaced in recent weeks. The company has been recruiting engineers and researchers with robotics expertise, posting new job listings that emphasize the development of innovative user experiences through advanced machine learning and hardware integration. Beyond hiring, Apple has also been publishing research that hints at its robotics vision. A recent company paper details a tabletop robot concept that could provide an early look at what’s to come. The device, described as resembling the Pixar lamp, is expected to integrate seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem, possibly evolving into a smart home hub with dynamic movement. Though Apple’s robotics work remains largely under wraps, its increasing investment in this space suggests a broader ambition to reshape home technology. With a history of refining and perfecting consumer tech, Apple’s eventual entry into robotics could redefine the way users interact with their devices.

OpenAI is making significant strides toward developing its own AI-focused chips according to a new report from Reuters . This is a move that could reshape how the company powers its advanced models. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that OpenAI is finalizing the design of its first chip and is preparing for production in the coming months. If successful, this could mark a major shift in the company’s approach to AI infrastructure, reducing its dependence on external suppliers like Nvidia. Producing custom silicon is no small feat, requiring intricate design processes and a substantial financial investment. The final phase of development, known as “tape-out,” represents a crucial stage where the design is locked in before manufacturing begins. Any flaws at this point could force a costly redesign, potentially delaying OpenAI’s timeline. Initially, the chip is expected to play a limited role in running AI models, but future iterations could take on more complex training tasks. The push for in-house AI chips isn’t unique to OpenAI. Apple is reportedly working on custom server processors for AI workloads, while Microsoft and Meta continue to pour billions into AI infrastructure. Meanwhile, new developments from Chinese AI firms have sparked fresh discussions on optimizing performance without relying on massive hardware investments. With competition intensifying, OpenAI’s move toward proprietary silicon underscores a larger industry trend: major tech companies are increasingly looking to control their own AI processing power. If OpenAI successfully brings its chips to market, it could gain a strategic advantage in both efficiency and innovation, setting the stage for the next evolution of AI development.

Apple’s highly anticipated smart home device, which has been generating buzz for months, is now expected to take longer than initially planned. A new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that the device—often referred to as the "HomePad"—won’t be arriving as soon as many had hoped. Originally, Apple was targeting a launch this spring, with reports last year indicating a possible March debut. However, more recent updates have cast doubt on that timeline. The delay appears to be linked to software dependencies, as some of the device’s key features are tied to upcoming system updates that aren’t yet ready for release. While speculation had remained optimistic about a launch in the near future, Gurman now indicates that the product is still “months away” from shipping. This suggests that even April may be an ambitious target, pushing expectations further into the year. Apple has been making strategic moves in the smart home space, but progress has been measured. With its car project canceled and AR glasses still years out, the company’s focus on home automation remains an area of interest. However, consumers eager for this next evolution in Apple’s home ecosystem may have to wait a little longer than anticipated.

Apple Sports is expanding its lineup with the latest update, bringing NASCAR coverage just in time for the Daytona 500 and adding support for MLB Spring Training. Fans can now track live race leaderboards and real-time baseball scores directly from the app or their iPhone’s Lock Screen. This will give racing enthusiasts an easy way to follow every lap and position change. Meanwhile, baseball fans can keep up with their favorite teams as they prepare for the new season.

ARM CEO Rene Haas has shared his thoughts on the growing debate surrounding DeepSeek, the Chinese AI chatbot that has drawn scrutiny for its ambitious claims. In an interview with the Financial Times , Haas expressed skepticism about the notion that DeepSeek achieved its advancements with significantly less computing power than leading US models like ChatGPT. He suggested that such claims might be exaggerated, arguing that if a breakthrough in AI efficiency had truly been made, major American tech companies would have already adjusted their investment strategies accordingly. Beyond questioning DeepSeek’s development process, Haas also speculated about its future in the US market. While he emphasized that he has no direct knowledge of any government action, he believes a ban is likely. Drawing comparisons to ongoing scrutiny of Chinese-owned platforms like TikTok, he pointed out that Washington is already grappling with concerns about foreign AI models operating in the US. Security risks and privacy flaws discovered in DeepSeek’s iOS app have further fueled the conversation about restricting its availability. Haas also touched on ARM’s evolving role in the AI industry, revealing that the company plans to move beyond licensing chip architectures and into selling its own AI-focused processors. He remains optimistic about AI’s potential beyond chatbots, particularly in the medical field. Citing advances in DNA and RNA research, he highlighted the possibility that AI-powered discoveries could lead to groundbreaking medical treatments, even hinting at the potential for curing cancer within a generation. As AI continues to reshape industries, the clash between innovation, regulation, and national security remains at the forefront. Whether DeepSeek’s claims hold up or its presence in the US is ultimately restricted, the debate over AI’s future is far from settled.