A partnership between Google and Apple goes beyond Siri development; John Ternos succeeds Tim Cook, who received $74.3 million in 2025; an official demand to remove the X and Grok apps for these reasons; new leaks about the iPhone 18 Pro; and other exciting news on the sidelines…
A partnership between Google and Apple goes beyond Siri development.
Apple and Google have announced a long-term collaboration aimed at using the Gemini AI platform to not only create a more intelligent and personalized version of Siri, but also a suite of future Apple Intelligence features. Apple's new models will rely on Gemini technology and Google's cloud, while these features will continue to run on Apple's own devices and servers to ensure the highest privacy standards. The enhanced version of Siri is expected to arrive with the iOS 26.4 update in March or April, enabling it to better understand user context, recognize what's on the screen, and control more deeply within apps. For example, Apple demonstrated how an iPhone user could ask Siri about their mother's trip or lunch plans using data from the Mail and Messages apps.
Apple is preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone.
Apple is planning to launch its first foldable iPhone this year. Reports indicate it will utilize a durable liquid metal for the hinge and an improved titanium material to reduce weight and increase strength compared to previous models. Apple has been exploring liquid metal for years due to its resistance to bending and corrosion, making it suitable for moving parts like the hinge. Titanium provides the device with high rigidity and a lighter weight, crucial for foldable devices. The device is expected to feature a book-like design with a 7.8-inch internal screen and a 5.5-inch external screen, along with an A20 processor, a C2 modem, dual rear cameras, and Touch ID support, marking a significant step forward in Apple's phone development.
New leaks about the iPhone 18 Pro
Leaked reports indicate that Apple is working on a new feature for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. These models will reportedly feature 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens, respectively, but will include Face ID under the display for the first time. This means eliminating the traditional notch at the top of the screen and moving the front-facing camera to the upper left corner. The regular iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 will retain the Dynamic AMOLED display with 6.3-inch and 6.5-inch screens. The Pro versions are expected to launch this September, while the regular versions may not be released until March 2027. Although this information comes from an account known for its accurate leaks, it remains a rumor until Apple makes an official announcement.
Apple's crisis with shortage of essential materials due to the AI chip boom
Apple is facing a major supply chain challenge after the proliferation of AI chips led to a global shortage of a key material known as "glass microfibers," used in the manufacture of circuit boards and chips inside iPhones and other devices. This material is produced almost exclusively by a Japanese company called Nitto Boseki, and with increasing demand from companies like Nvidia, Google, Amazon, and Qualcomm, securing sufficient quantities has become difficult for Apple. To address the crisis, Apple has sent employees to Japan to support production operations and has begun searching for alternative suppliers in China and Taiwan, but maintaining the required quality remains a challenge. The problem is that these fibers must be precise and flawless because they are an essential part of the chip and cannot be repaired after manufacturing, making the use of lower-quality materials impractical. This crisis is not limited to Apple; it affects most chip manufacturers worldwide.
New features in Siri powered by Gemini intelligence
Apple, in collaboration with Google, announced that Siri will become smarter and more personalized thanks to Gemini technology, with a host of new features available starting this spring. These include the ability to answer general questions more naturally, tell stories, offer emotional support, assist with tasks like booking travel, and create notes, such as recipes, directly within the Notes app. Apple also plans to add more features at its upcoming WWDC conference, such as remembering past conversations and offering proactive suggestions based on apps like Calendar. The new version will not bear any Google or Gemini branding; Apple will customize it to suit its own style. The new version of Siri is expected to be released with the iOS 26.4 update in March or April, while some additional features will arrive later with iOS 27.
Apple highlights a significant upgrade in the iPhone 17
Apple has released a new ad titled “Slide” to highlight the Ceramic Shield 2 protective glass used in the iPhone 17, Pro, and Pro Max. The ad shows an iPhone 17 Pro being pulled across a table during a negotiation, emphasizing the strength of the new glass. According to Apple, this cover offers three times better scratch resistance than the iPhone 16 series and is more durable than any glass or glass composite used in other smartphones. The ad ends with the tagline: “Relax, it’s iPhone 17.”
Apple's temporary deal with Google in the field of artificial intelligence
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo explained that Apple's collaboration with Google on artificial intelligence is not a long-term strategic move, but rather a temporary solution to alleviate current pressure. Apple faces challenges in developing its own technologies, most notably the need for a strong presentation at this year's WWDC developers conference following its announcement of Apple Intelligence and the yet-to-be-released Siri updates. Adding to the pressure is the rapid development of cloud-based AI systems, which has raised user expectations. The deal with Google gives Apple time to manage these expectations while it continues to develop its internal technologies. Kuo also indicated that Apple is preparing to produce AI-specific server chips in the second half of 2026, with its data centers operational in 2027, reflecting its expectation of increased demand for AI technologies integrated into devices starting that year.
Expected improvements in messaging between iPhone and Android
The beta version of iOS 26.3 reveals that Apple is preparing the Messages app to support end-to-end encryption in RCS messages, making communication between iPhone and Android users more secure and seamless. This update is based on RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which adds features similar to iMessage, such as built-in replies, message editing, the ability to unsend, and full Tapback support. Apple first added RCS support in iOS 18, but the new version brings even greater improvements. While iMessage has offered these features for years, integrating them into RCS will make the messaging experience across devices more integrated. The gradual rollout of this feature is expected to begin between iOS 26.3 and iOS 27, and may initially be limited to certain countries depending on carrier readiness.
Apple launches “Creator Studio” suite of creative applications
Apple has announced a new bundle called Apple Creator Studio, giving users access to six professional creation apps, along with exclusive AI-powered features and premium content, for a subscription of $12.99 per month or $129 per year in the US. The bundle includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Pixelmator Pro on Mac and iPad, as well as Motion, Compressor, and MainStage on Mac. Pixelmator Pro is now also available on iPad. Subscribers will get additional tools such as the "Warp" feature for image editing in Pixelmator and a content center in iWork (Numbers, Pages, Keynote) offering free images and templates. The bundle will be available on the App Store starting January 28 with a free one-month trial. Students can get a discounted price of $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year, and the subscription can be shared with up to five family members. While the apps will still be available for purchase separately, the AI features and exclusive content will be exclusive to Creator Studio subscribers.
Apple patents are expected to decline in 2025 as innovation slows.
New data shows that Apple's patent applications in the US in 2025 fell by 12% compared to the previous year, with 2,722 patents granted compared to 3,082 in 2024, dropping it to sixth place on the list of the largest patent-granting companies. This decline reflects not only a slowdown in Apple's innovation despite its increased investments in artificial intelligence, chip design, and software, but also a general decrease in patent activity within the US. The total number of patents granted reached 323,272, a slight decrease, while new applications fell by 9%, reaching their lowest level since 2019. Other companies like Google experienced a similar decline, while Samsung maintained its lead with 7,054 patents, followed by TSMC in second place and Qualcomm in third. In contrast, companies like Dell and Toyota advanced thanks to their focus on areas such as computing infrastructure and battery technologies, which were among the top research trends in 2025.
Elon Musk responds to Apple and Google's collaboration in developing Siri
Elon Musk has expressed concern over Apple and Google's announcement of a new collaboration to develop a more intelligent and personalized version of Siri, using Google's Gemini AI platform. Musk believes this gives Google significant leverage, as it also owns operating systems like Android and Chrome, potentially limiting competition. This comes as Apple prepares to launch the new Siri as part of the expected iOS 26.4 update in March or April, making it one of Apple's "Intelligence" features. Musk, who leads the rival company xAI with its product Grok, previously filed a lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI last year, accusing them of attempting to monopolize the AI market.
Miscellaneous news
Reports suggest Apple might announce a MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max processors in late January, based on the company's past release schedules and actions, but this remains speculation. The anticipated updates focus solely on the processor without major changes, while significant improvements to the MacBook Pro are expected in 2026 or 2027, making waiting for the next generation a smarter option for those who don't need an immediate upgrade.
Apple and other major tech companies are opposing an Indian proposal that would require phone manufacturers to hand over the source code for iOS and other operating systems to government labs under the pretext of enhancing data security. They consider this a dangerous precedent that threatens trade secrets and has no global equivalent. The Indian government maintains that the proposal is still under discussion and officially denies any intention of requesting the source code, especially after previously backing down from imposing a pre-installed government security app on iPhones following widespread public outcry.
January 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the MacBook Pro, which Apple first unveiled in 2006 as the successor to the PowerBook series. Since then, it has undergone significant transformations, including the switch from Intel processors to Apple Silicon with the M1 chip, and the adoption of notable features such as an aluminum chassis, MagSafe, and Retina displays, alongside less successful innovations like the Touch Bar and Butterfly keyboard. With this long history, rumors suggest that the next MacBook Pro revolution could come in 2026 or 2027 with OLED touchscreens, a thinner design, and perhaps even an iPhone-inspired touch, confirming that the story is far from over.
A number of US senators have called on Apple and Google to remove the X and Grok apps from their app stores, following accusations that the apps used AI-powered image-generating tools to create sexually explicit images of women and children. The senators argued that this constitutes a clear violation of the stores' policies. They sent a letter to Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai, asserting that ignoring the issue undermines the credibility of the companies' safety claims, and demanded a formal response by January 23.
Apple has won another legal battle against AliveCor, after an appeals court ruled that updates to the heart rate monitoring technology in the Apple Watch are lawful improvements and not monopolistic practices. The court refused to force Apple to revert to outdated algorithms or share its proprietary data, emphasizing that competition laws do not compel companies to favor their rivals. This marks Apple's second significant victory in the case within a year.
Apple revealed that CEO Tim Cook will receive $74.3 million in compensation in 2025, a slight decrease from the previous year. This includes a fixed base salary of $3 million, plus stock options, performance-related bonuses, and other compensation. While the target compensation package was $59 million, Apple's strong performance boosted his overall earnings, while other top executives at the company received compensation packages ranging from $15 million to $27 million.
Expectations are growing within Apple that John Ternos, senior vice president of hardware engineering, is the frontrunner to succeed Tim Cook as CEO, especially as succession plans accelerate following Cook's 65th birthday. While other senior names have been floated, recent reports suggest Ternos is leading the pack thanks to his engineering expertise and deep knowledge of the supply chain, though debate continues about whether he possesses the bold vision that characterized Apple's leadership under Steve Jobs.
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