Samsung announces the Exynos 2600 processor with 2nm technology; Mac users with Studio displays are experiencing frequent flickering; Apple hasn't resolved the crackling and popping issue in AirPods Pro 3; Apple faces a hefty fine in Italy; ChatGPT introduces a new feature; Samsung is developing a "Wide Fold" phone to rival the iPhone Fold; Apple will discontinue 25 products by 2025; and other exciting news on the sidelines…
Tim Cook invests millions of dollars in Nike stock
Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed he purchased nearly $3 million worth of Nike shares. He bought 50 shares on December 22 at approximately $59 per share, bringing his total holdings to around 105 shares, valued at roughly $6 million. This announcement helped boost Nike's stock price by 2% to 5% after it had declined due to weak financial results, particularly in the Chinese market. Cook has been a member of Nike's board of directors since 2005 and has served as its chief independent director since 2016. He also serves on the company's compensation committee, making him a key figure in its management. This is his largest purchase of Nike shares in years and comes at a time when the company is facing pressure from investors due to a prolonged decline in its share price.
The iPhone Air 2 may be released next year.
New rumors suggest the second-generation iPhone Air could launch in the fall of 2026, despite previous reports indicating a delay to March 2027. The new device is said to feature significant improvements, including a second rear camera, a lighter weight, an improved cooling system, and a larger battery, along with a lower price point to address criticisms of the first model. Meanwhile, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17e in the spring of 2026, once it enters mass production. While most sources point to a delay, there's a possibility Apple will accelerate development of the new features and adhere to the original launch date of next fall.
Apple will discontinue 25 products in 2025
As 2025 drew to a close, Apple announced the discontinuation of 25 devices and accessories across various categories. Most of these products were replaced by newer versions with faster processors, but some lines were completely discontinued, such as the iPhone SE series after the launch of the iPhone 16e, and the iPhone Plus series, which was gradually replaced by the iPhone Air. Among the devices discontinued this year were the iPhone 14, 15, and 16 Pro; the iPad Pro with the M4 processor; the iPad Air with the M2 processor; the iPad X; and Apple Watches such as the X, Ultra 2, and SE 2. The list also included Macs like the Mac Studio with M2 processors, older MacBook Pro and Air models, and accessories such as the AirPods Pro 2, the older MagSafe charger, the Lightning to 3.5mm adapter, and the MagSafe to MagSafe 2 adapter. This move reflects Apple's commitment to continuously updating its products and discontinuing models that no longer align with its future strategy.
Apple relies on Samsung to produce the iPhone 18 camera sensor.
Samsung is preparing to supply Apple with advanced camera sensors that will be manufactured at its facility in Austin, Texas. These sensors will utilize "triple stacking" technology, enabling higher image quality, improved low-light performance, faster readout speeds, and lower power consumption. The project involves setting up new production lines and hiring engineers and technicians, with work expected to begin next March. The new sensor is intended for the iPhone 18, expected to launch in the first half of 2027, and marks the first time Apple has broken free from its complete reliance on Sony as its sole camera sensor supplier, as they were previously manufactured in Japan and delivered via TSMC.
You can print a prototype of the foldable iPhone
Apple is reportedly developing a foldable iPhone expected to launch in September 2026, with rumors suggesting a screen size of approximately 5.4 inches when closed and 7.6 inches when unfolded. A designer on MakerWorld, known as Subsy, has published a full-size, 3D-printable model to give a rough idea of the device's dimensions. This model is based on speculative sketches and designs, not leaked official schematics, so it may differ from the final design, particularly in camera and hinge details. Nevertheless, this model provides a practical way to experience the device's dimensions and compare them to the current iPhone, with more accurate models expected in early 2026.
Samsung is developing a "Wide Fold" phone to compete with the iPhone Fold.
Samsung is developing a new foldable phone, dubbed the “Wide Fold,” featuring a wider and shorter design than its predecessors, positioning it as a direct competitor to the iPhone foldable phone. The new device will have a 5.4-inch screen when closed and a 7.6-inch screen when unfolded, with a 4:3 aspect ratio, giving it a more square shape and making it easier to use compared to previous tall and narrow designs. This design is somewhat reminiscent of a notebook and differs from the current Z Fold series, which features taller screens. Samsung plans to launch this phone in the fall of 2026, alongside the next-generation Fold and the “Flip” device, to expand its options in the foldable phone market.
New feature in ChatGPT: Year-end summary 2025
OpenAI has launched a new feature in ChatGPT similar to Spotify Wrapped, where users receive a personalized summary of their usage throughout 2025. This summary displays the most important topics discussed, the number of conversations and messages, and the most active days, in addition to identifying each user's "writing or speaking style" and describing how they use the application. The update also includes a special poem, a digital artwork, a symbolic prize for 2025, and predictions for 2026.
Users can access this summary via the app or website by typing “Show me my year with ChatGPT”, and it is available to free and paid subscribers in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
iOS 26.3 makes it easier to connect external devices in Europe.
Apple announced iOS 26.3, which adds new features for third-party devices in the European Union, in compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Among the most notable features is quick pairing, allowing headphones or other devices to connect to an iPhone or iPad in a manner similar to AirPods, simply by bringing them close together—a one-step process instead of multiple steps. Smartwatches and similar devices can now also receive and respond to iPhone notifications, a feature previously exclusive to the Apple Watch. However, notifications can only be sent to one device at a time, meaning that enabling this feature on a third-party device disables it on the Apple Watch. The European Commission welcomed these changes, considering them a step towards a more interconnected digital ecosystem, with these capabilities expected to be fully available across Europe by 2026. The update will be officially released at the end of January.
Apple fined heavily in Italy over privacy feature
The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has fined Apple $116 million over its App Tracking Transparency feature, launched in iOS 14.5, which requires apps to request user permission before tracking them across other apps and websites for targeted advertising. The AGCM deemed the rules “excessive” and detrimental to developers and advertisers, particularly due to what it termed “double consent,” whereby users in the European Union are required to accept privacy notices twice (according to AT&T and the GDPR). The authority argued that Apple could have achieved the same level of protection through less restrictive means of competition, and also suggested that the policy might provide Apple with indirect financial benefits. Apple confirmed it will appeal the decision, emphasizing the importance of the feature in enhancing user privacy, but previously warned it could be discontinued in the EU due to increasing regulatory pressure.
Apple is relying more heavily on Samsung as memory prices rise.
Economic reports indicate that Apple has increased its reliance on Samsung to supply iPhone memory, after the prices of DRAM units rose significantly during 2025. Samsung is expected to supply between 60% and 70% of the LPDDR memory used in the iPhone 17, compared to a more balanced distribution with companies like SK Hynix and Micron in previous years.
The reason is that SK Hynix and Micron focused their production on the high-speed HBM memory required for AI and data center technologies, thus reducing their capacity to produce phone memory. In contrast, Samsung maintained a large-scale production of mobile device memory, making it the only supplier capable of meeting Apple's massive demands. With the price of a 12GB LPDDR5X module rising from $30 to around $70, ensuring a stable supply became crucial for Apple, which sees its reliance on Samsung as providing more reliable deliveries and mitigating the impact of price fluctuations.
Miscellaneous news
Apple is testing a new generation of ultra-thin, flexible glass aimed at eliminating the crease or "fold" that typically appears in foldable phone screens. The new technology uses glass with varying thicknesses; it's thinner at the fold to increase flexibility and thicker in other areas to ensure rigidity and durability. This contrasts with current glass, which warps at the hinge.
The Medical Devices Regulatory Authority (MDA) in Australia has approved a new feature for the Apple Watch that alerts users to signs of high blood pressure. This feature doesn't directly measure blood pressure, but rather uses data from the heart's optical sensor to analyze blood vessel response over 30 days. If concerning patterns emerge, the user receives a notification to review their traditional blood pressure measurement. The feature is for adults over 22 who are not pregnant and have not been previously diagnosed with hypertension. It works on Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 and later models with an iPhone 11 or later. While Apple hasn't yet announced an activation date for Australia, the feature is already available in over 150 countries.
Samsung announced the Exynos 2600 processor, its first 2nm smartphone chip, boasting significant improvements in performance, AI, and graphics, along with a new cooling technology to address previous overheating issues. Meanwhile, Apple is preparing to utilize TSMC's 2nm technology in 2026 with the A20 processors in the iPhone 18 series and the first foldable iPhone, promising higher performance and better power efficiency compared to the current generation.
Since the launch of the AirPods Pro 3, users have complained about crackling and popping sounds, especially when noise cancellation is enabled without media playing, in addition to an occasional high-pitched hiss. Despite Apple releasing two software updates in November and December, these issues persist, with reports of audio lag and synchronization problems when watching videos. Some users have purchased replacement AirPods from Apple, but these have encountered the same problems, raising doubts about a genuine hardware fix. Apple's latest updates have not provided clear details, simply stating "bug fixes and general improvements."
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced that the company will not release Fortnite on iPhones in Japan due to new fees imposed by Apple on alternative app stores. Sweeney accused Apple of stifling competition by charging up to 5% on sales through alternative stores and 15% on digital purchases made via web links, confirming that the company will file a complaint with the Japanese Fair Trade Commission. Apple, for its part, says it developed these rules in cooperation with Japanese regulators, and that the fees will remain similar to those imposed in the European Union starting in 2026.
Users of Macs equipped with Studio Display have been experiencing a recurring flickering issue since the macOS Tahoe update in September. Subsequent updates have not only failed to resolve the problem but have actually worsened it. The flickering often occurs when switching between applications or browsing pages with light backgrounds, and can sometimes happen randomly. The cause is likely a software issue and can be fixed with a display software update, rather than a hardware problem.
Sources:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10| 11| 12| 13| 14| 15
Leave a response