The iPhone 17 is still months away from launch, but attention is already turning to Apple’s next leap in chip technology. The upcoming A20 chip, expected to power the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone, could deliver one of the most significant performance upgrades in recent years. According to analyst Jeff Pu, the A20 will be Apple’s first chip built using TSMC’s advanced 2-nanometer process. This transition from the current 3-nanometer architecture could lead to noticeable gains in speed and efficiency, with early estimates pointing to up to 15 percent faster performance and 30 percent lower power consumption compared to the A19. Beyond the manufacturing process, the A20 may introduce a new packaging design that brings core components closer together. Apple is reportedly planning to use Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module packaging, which integrates the CPU, GPU, Neural Engine, and memory onto the same wafer. This could reduce latency, improve thermal management, and shrink the chip’s overall footprint. For the iPhone 18 Fold, in particular, these changes could be game-changing. A smaller and more efficient chip would free up internal space, possibly allowing for larger batteries or more advanced internal components in a compact form factor. The packaging shift could also support faster on-device AI processing, an increasingly important feature as Apple pushes forward with its Apple Intelligence platform. If the A20 lives up to expectations, it will represent more than just another annual performance boost. It could mark a new chapter in how Apple designs the internal architecture of its devices. The iPhone 18 Pro and Fold, expected in late 2026, may be Apple’s most advanced smartphones yet, reshaped from the inside out.

Apple’s attempt to reshape its midrange strategy with the iPhone 16e is off to a measured start in Europe. Introduced in February as a fresh alternative to the long-running SE line, the 16e has made an appearance on bestseller lists — but early sales figures suggest it’s falling short of the momentum seen by earlier budget-friendly iPhones. According to Counterpoint Research , the iPhone 16e secured a spot among the top 10 smartphones sold in Europe in March. However, its share of Apple’s total iPhone sales in the region — and its overall impact on the market — was noticeably lower than previous launches. In contrast, the iPhone SE models of 2020 and 2022 ranked higher and drove stronger regional sales out of the gate. Much of the drop-off appears to stem from pricing. The 16e starts at around €699 in most European markets — significantly more than the €519 and €479 price points of the 2022 and 2020 SE models, respectively. That gap has proven a hurdle in an increasingly price-sensitive landscape, where buyers are gravitating toward used or refurbished iPhones instead of brand-new, mid-tier options. The challenge for Apple lies in the evolving definition of value. While the 16e offers a cleaner design and modern feature set compared to the SE, its higher cost may have pushed it out of reach for many buyers seeking affordability over aesthetics. For now, the 16e’s performance signals a cautious reception rather than a breakout success. As Apple rethinks its place in the midrange space, the question remains whether premium branding alone can carry a product that’s priced like a flagship, but expected to perform like a bargain.

OpenAI is taking its biggest step yet beyond software, striking a $6.5 billion deal to acquire io, the mysterious hardware venture co-founded by legendary designer Jony Ive. The acquisition, still awaiting regulatory approval, marks a pivotal moment not just for OpenAI but for the future of consumer technology, as the company signals its intent to reimagine the very devices we use to interact with AI. The startup, previously operating in stealth, has been the result of a quiet, two-year collaboration between Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Their shared goal: invent a new kind of personal device—one that abandons legacy computing models and rethinks how humans experience intelligence in everyday life. What they’re building remains tightly guarded, but those close to the project describe it as the conceptual opposite of a smartphone. Instead of screens and apps, the device is expected to center on ambient, voice-first interactions—leaning heavily on OpenAI’s strengths in natural language processing. The hardware could eventually serve as a physical extension of the company’s powerful AI models, bringing them into users’ lives in a constant, intuitive way. To bring this vision to life, OpenAI is absorbing io’s team of hardware veterans, including key Apple alumni like Evans Hankey, Tang Tan, and Scott Cannon. These designers, who helped shape some of Apple’s most iconic products, now join forces with OpenAI to create a new generation of tech—one that prioritizes seamless design, minimal friction, and emotional connection. Design firm LoveFrom, also led by Ive, will oversee the industrial and experiential aspects of OpenAI’s future products. The merger not only gives OpenAI the design horsepower it previously lacked, but also formalizes a deeper partnership with one of the most influential design thinkers in modern tech history. While other companies continue to retrofit AI into smartphones, PCs, and existing ecosystems, OpenAI’s bet is more radical. It wants to build something new from the ground up—an AI-native device unconstrained by the assumptions of the past. In doing so, it sets the stage for direct competition with Apple, whose dominance in hardware could be challenged if OpenAI’s vision catches on. The first product from this union isn’t expected to launch until 2026, but the intent is clear: OpenAI doesn’t just want to lead in software—it wants to define how we physically experience the next era of computing. As for Jony Ive, who helped usher in the touchscreen era with the iPhone, the opportunity to design something beyond the phone may be his most ambitious project yet. For OpenAI, it’s not just about entering the hardware space—it’s about inventing the next personal device for the AI age.

As political winds shift and former President Donald Trump renews demands for U.S.-based iPhone production, Apple is unlikely to change course. According to noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the tech giant would rather absorb the sting of a 25% import tax than attempt to uproot and recreate its vast manufacturing empire in the United States. Kuo shared his insights on X , suggesting that Apple’s complex, Asia-centered supply chain is too established and too efficient to abandon—even in the face of growing political pressure. His comments follow Trump’s latest social media post warning that iPhones made outside the U.S. could soon be hit with steep tariffs. For Apple, the stakes are high. The company is in the midst of a major manufacturing transition, gradually shifting assembly of iPhones for the American market to India. That move, initially spurred by geopolitical tensions and the need to diversify away from China, now risks becoming a flashpoint in U.S. trade policy. Trump’s post specifically targeted Apple CEO Tim Cook, stating that iPhones sold in the United States should be built within U.S. borders—or else face a punitive tariff of “at least 25%.” The former president’s remarks caused Apple’s stock to dip 3% in pre-market trading, as investors weighed the potential fallout. But Kuo’s assessment highlights just how unrealistic a U.S. manufacturing shift would be. Apple’s partners—like Foxconn—operate massive, custom-built production sites in Asia that are nearly impossible to replicate without years of construction, training, and investment. Analysts have estimated that attempting to build iPhones in the U.S. could raise production costs so dramatically that retail prices might soar above $3,000 per device. While Apple does utilize some U.S.-made components—such as glass from Corning or chips from stateside fabrication plants—the final assembly of iPhones has always been rooted overseas. Moving that operation to the U.S. wouldn’t just be costly—it would be logistically and operationally disruptive. At present, Apple has made no public comment on the matter. But with U.S. iPhone sales still exceeding 60 million units annually, Kuo’s stance is clear: enduring a 25% tariff, though painful, is far more manageable than upending one of the most sophisticated manufacturing networks on Earth. If Trump’s trade position becomes more than rhetoric, Apple may have to do what it does best—innovate, adapt, and keep shipping iPhones, no matter the political forecast.

Apple’s efforts to diversify its supply chain may be heading into political crosshairs once again. Former President Donald Trump ignited a new wave of controversy on Friday by threatening hefty tariffs on iPhones not made within the United States—underscoring how deeply trade policy could shape the future of tech manufacturing if he returns to office. The comments, delivered on his social platform Truth Social, were aimed directly at Apple CEO Tim Cook, who had earlier confirmed that production for most U.S.-bound iPhones will soon shift to India. The decision aligns with Apple’s broader goal to reduce dependency on China, but it has now drawn the ire of Trump, who warned that iPhones manufactured outside U.S. borders may face tariffs of at least 25%. Trump’s message wasn’t subtle. “I expect iPhones sold in the USA to be made here—not in India, not anywhere else,” he wrote. His remarks followed an official visit to Qatar, where he reportedly criticized Apple’s India expansion during closed-door talks with foreign dignitaries. Apple’s move to scale up Indian production has been in motion for years, with its primary partner Foxconn recently committing an additional $1.5 billion to its operations in the region. A new display component facility in Chennai is expected to support this ramp-up, further entrenching Apple’s presence in the country. But Trump’s tariff talk spooked investors. Apple shares slid 3% in pre-market trading following his remarks, as markets digested the potential disruption to Apple’s long-standing global manufacturing strategy. Analysts say a sudden shift to U.S.-based production would not only be financially burdensome but nearly impossible to execute in the short term. A report from Wedbush suggests that relocating iPhone assembly stateside could balloon the cost of a single device to over $3,000 and take nearly a decade to fully implement. More than just a corporate logistics challenge, the situation underscores the mounting intersection between tech operations and geopolitics. Apple, like many multinationals, has spent years building an intricate, Asia-centric supply chain optimized for scale and efficiency. Trump’s statement raises new questions about how that model might evolve if nationalistic trade policies re-emerge as a dominant force in 2025 and beyond. The broader implications are significant. If Apple is pressured into reshoring production, it could trigger ripple effects across the tech industry—from pricing and consumer access to labor demand and international partnerships. It also adds fuel to a wider debate about America’s manufacturing capabilities and the feasibility of high-tech hardware production on U.S. soil. For now, Apple has declined to issue a formal response. But with iPhone 16 set to be one of the most India-assembled models yet, the company may be forced to balance its global ambitions with an increasingly uncertain domestic political climate.

Apple’s latest 11th-generation iPad is seeing major discounts on Amazon today, with deals across Wi-Fi and cellular models. The 128GB Wi-Fi version is available for $299, $50 off its regular price, making it one of the best offers since launch. Higher storage options are also on sale: the 256GB model is now $399, while the 512GB version is priced at $594.95, both offering solid savings. Cellular variants see similar markdowns, with the 128GB Cellular iPad going for $449, and the 512GB Cellular model receiving the biggest cut at $729, down $70. The 11th-gen iPad retains the design of its predecessor but upgrades the internals with Apple’s A16 chip and now starts with 128GB of storage. With improved performance and new configurations, this is a great time to grab one at a reduced price.

A dramatic fall in smartphone exports from China to the U.S. is signaling a deeper transformation in the global tech supply chain, driven by Apple’s ongoing production realignment and escalating trade barriers. In April, mobile device shipments from China to the U.S. dropped to levels not seen since 2011, reflecting both economic friction and Apple's shift away from its historic manufacturing base. The plunge comes amid rising efforts by Apple to scale up iPhone production outside China—most notably in India, where the company has significantly ramped up output. Apple’s India-based manufacturing hit $22 billion in value over the last fiscal year, and the company is expected to route the majority of U.S.-bound iPhones from Indian factories within the next year. Meanwhile, political tensions are adding new layers of complexity. During a recent visit to Qatar, former President Donald Trump disclosed a conversation with Tim Cook, expressing concern over Apple’s deepening ties to India’s manufacturing sector. The remarks signal the ongoing scrutiny Apple faces from American leadership over where and how its products are made. Apple has remained focused on building a more resilient supply chain. CEO Tim Cook reiterated that concentrating production in a single country poses too much risk—a lesson the company began acting on well before recent geopolitical developments. The shift is not just about avoiding tariffs or appeasing regulators; it’s about future-proofing a business that operates on a global scale. As the numbers from China drop sharply, the long-term ripple effects are beginning to take shape. Apple’s decisions are not just altering its own production map—they’re reshaping global trade flows in the tech industry.

Google’s annual developer showcase, I/O 2025, has officially kicked off—and this year’s spotlight is firmly fixed on AI. From overhauling Search and reimagining its virtual assistant ambitions to unveiling powerful generative tools for creativity and communication, Google laid out a bold roadmap that positions Gemini as the core of its future. While Android 16 updates had already been teased ahead of the event, the keynote on May 20 shifted attention to how AI is increasingly integrated into every corner of Google’s ecosystem. One of the most notable developments was the expansion of Gemini-powered features in Search. U.S. users will soon find a dedicated “AI Mode” that allows for more conversational queries, dynamic visuals, and even shopping assistance tailored to individual preferences. Whether comparing gadgets or asking for real-time product deals, AI is stepping in as your new search companion. Beyond search, Google also doubled down on its vision of a universal assistant with an updated demo of Project Astra. In what looked like a prototype for the future of ambient AI, Astra seamlessly switched between tasks—analyzing images, searching emails, retrieving specs, and even placing phone calls—offering a glimpse of what real-time digital help might soon look like. The foundation of all this is Gemini 2.5, Google’s latest flagship AI model. Now equipped with features like “Deep Think” for enhanced reasoning, multilingual text-to-speech that adapts mid-sentence, and new 3D media generation capabilities, Gemini is becoming smarter, more fluid, and deeply personalized. Even Gmail’s smart replies are getting an upgrade—users will soon receive auto-responses written in their own tone, based on how they typically write. In the visual realm, Google is pushing the boundaries of AI-generated content with tools like Flow, a new video creation app that lets users produce and manipulate AI-generated scenes. Paired with Veo 3’s support for sound in generated video and updates to image-generation model Imagen 4, the company is making it easier than ever to create multimedia projects entirely with AI. Google Meet also received a powerful upgrade: real-time voice translation with emotional tone matching. Initially launching in Spanish-English pairs for AI subscribers, the feature is expected to roll out to more languages soon—one of several real-world use cases that highlight Gemini’s role in practical communication. On the accessibility front, Gemini Live is rolling out across Android and iOS, letting users point their phone’s camera at something and ask questions about it in real time. This is being coupled with new camera-based AI interactions inside Search and Lens, pushing Google’s vision of visual computing even further. Security and transparency remain a priority. Google unveiled SynthID Detector, a new tool that helps identify AI-generated content using hidden watermarks across images, audio, video, and text. The company is also testing automatic password changes through Chrome’s password manager when breaches are detected—another layer of AI-powered digital protection. Enterprise users saw a familiar face rebranded—Google's 3D video conferencing platform, formerly known as Project Starline, is now Beam. Aimed at corporate buyers, the system is moving beyond experimental labs into actual boardrooms, with HP stepping in as a hardware partner. The pricing of Google’s AI offerings drew some raised eyebrows. The newly introduced AI Ultra tier, at $250 per month, offers early access to Google’s most advanced tools, priority compute, and massive storage allocations. A 50% introductory discount softens the blow, but questions remain around long-term value. Meanwhile, in the XR space, Google shared another peek into its Android-based extended reality platform. With Xreal developing a new device called Project Aura and Samsung collaborating on a headset, Google hopes to make a bigger dent in the spatial computing market. Smart glasses capable of live translation and immersive media experiences hint at the company's next major hardware push—one that blends AI with wearable tech. Google I/O 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark moment in the company’s transition into a truly AI-first future. The announcements reveal not just product upgrades, but a deeper integration of machine intelligence into how people work, search, communicate, and create. From personalized email replies to AI-enhanced video editing, the tech giant’s latest moves show that Gemini isn’t just an assistant—it’s the new foundation of Google’s world.

After nearly four years of absence, Fortnite has made its way back onto the iOS App Store in the United States. The return follows mounting legal pressure on Apple to comply with a federal court ruling related to app marketplace policies. The move marks a major shift in the long-running standoff between Apple and Epic Games, which began in 2020 when Epic introduced an alternative payment method in Fortnite, violating App Store guidelines. That action prompted Apple to remove the game entirely, sparking a high-profile legal battle that’s continued ever since. Tensions escalated again this week, as the judge overseeing the case warned Apple that further resistance could bring serious consequences—including compelling the company’s app review head to testify in person. In response, Apple abruptly reversed course and approved Fortnite’s return. U.S. players can now download Fortnite directly from the App Store, but with some key differences. The game no longer includes in-app purchases through Apple’s payment system. Instead, players are redirected to Epic’s website for all transactions—one of the central issues at the heart of the legal dispute. Meanwhile, Fortnite remains available in the European Union through the Epic Games Store, which is operating as an independent app marketplace under the region’s new digital competition laws. Apple is still in the process of appealing the U.S. court’s decision that forced changes to its developer policies, meaning the story is far from over. For now, though, the long-awaited return of Fortnite to the iPhone marks a notable win for Epic—and a rare retreat from Apple in its tightly controlled app ecosystem.

Google is stepping deeper into the world of smart eyewear, debuting a new prototype at I/O 2025 that blends its Android XR platform with Gemini AI. The company demoed the glasses live during its keynote, offering a glimpse into a future where AI-powered assistance is available right from your face—no phone needed. Designed with style in mind, the prototype was developed in partnership with Gentle Monster, with Warby Parker also joining Google's expanding list of collaborators. The glasses feature a built-in camera, speakers, microphone, and a discreet lens-mounted display that shows contextual information like navigation prompts, incoming messages, and reminders—all powered by Gemini. During the live demo, Google showed off the glasses handling a variety of real-time tasks: translating languages during a conversation, offering turn-by-turn walking directions, scheduling appointments, and even pulling up information from previous messages and emails. Unlike previous attempts at smart glasses, these interactions felt fluid, voice-driven, and surprisingly practical. This new hardware sits atop the Android XR platform that Google co-developed with Samsung and Qualcomm. While last year’s announcement focused on the framework, this year’s focus was clearly on bringing that vision to life. Google confirmed it's working closely with Samsung on both software and hardware reference designs for XR wearables and headsets. Project Moohan, Samsung’s upcoming XR headset, is still on track to launch later this year. Google says it has already seeded units of the smart glasses to select testers for real-world feedback, signaling serious intent to refine the experience ahead of a broader rollout. With a more fashion-forward design, Gemini-powered intelligence, and a platform-first approach, Google's latest take on smart glasses could finally bring the category into the mainstream.

Siri may be on the verge of its biggest transformation yet, as Apple deepens its investment in artificial intelligence and explores new paths to make its assistant more capable and competitive. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman , Apple is working behind the scenes on a complete reimagining of Siri—one that would trade its current structure for a smarter, more cohesive AI system. At the heart of this initiative is a new LLM-powered foundation designed to move Siri away from years of fragmented development. The assistant's existing system, built through layers of incremental features, is being replaced by a single, unified AI engine aimed at enabling more fluid, intelligent interactions. This could make Siri far more responsive and adaptable to user requests, bringing it closer to the performance users expect from tools like ChatGPT. Part of the company’s AI evolution is playing out in Switzerland, where Apple has expanded its AI footprint with new research operations in Zurich. These teams are tasked with developing advanced language models and building the groundwork for what will eventually become Siri’s core technology. While current versions of iOS are beginning to incorporate third-party AI models like ChatGPT—and soon Google Gemini—Apple is reportedly considering further integrations, including Perplexity AI, as it builds out a more flexible and robust assistant framework. Though Apple is expected to focus its upcoming WWDC on other Apple Intelligence features, these efforts hint at a broader shift. Siri isn’t being left behind—it’s being rebuilt for the future.

Apple is gearing up for WWDC 2025, set to begin on June 9, with its annual keynote scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. The presentation will stream live across Apple’s website, YouTube, and the Apple TV app, launching a week of developer-focused content and updates across the company’s platforms. The keynote is expected to showcase a major wave of software releases, including iOS 19, macOS 16, and visionOS 3, along with significant enhancements to Apple Intelligence—the company’s suite of AI-powered features that are increasingly shaping the Apple experience. While hardware has made surprise appearances at past WWDC events, this year appears to be centered around platform evolution and developer tools. Following the keynote, Apple will release its annual Platforms State of the Union address at 1 p.m. PT, offering a technical breakdown of new APIs, features, and development frameworks. All content will be accessible online for free throughout the week via the Apple Developer site, app, and YouTube. Though the event remains mostly virtual, Apple will host a select group of developers and students at Apple Park for a one-day gathering on June 9. Attendees will watch the keynote together, connect with Apple engineers, and get hands-on insight into the upcoming software changes. WWDC 2025 will include a full schedule of workshops, sessions, and lab appointments designed to help developers adapt to what’s next across Apple’s ecosystem. With AI becoming a more prominent focus across iOS and beyond, this year’s conference could mark a key turning point in how Apple builds its next generation of user experiences.