In a bold move that underscores the intensifying race for artificial intelligence dominance, Meta has secured a key AI leader from Apple with a staggering $200 million compensation package—one of the most lucrative ever offered to an individual in tech. Ruoming Pang, who until recently headed Apple’s foundation model efforts, has left the company to join Meta’s Superintelligence Labs, a newly launched division dedicated to building next-gen AI systems. Pang’s team at Apple played a central role in powering features introduced under the Apple Intelligence banner, including language-based tools like Genmoji, email summarization, and intelligent notifications. His defection highlights the high-stakes war for AI talent as companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Anthropic race to build more powerful, general-purpose AI models. Sources familiar with the offer told Bloomberg that Pang’s deal includes a performance-based equity package making up the bulk of the compensation, plus a substantial salary and signing bonus. The payout rivals those of some of the highest-paid CEOs in the financial sector and tech industry. Apple, known for its tightly controlled executive structure and more restrained compensation policies, did not attempt to match the offer, reflecting a strategic difference in how it approaches talent retention compared to its rivals. The company has since appointed Zhifeng Chen to lead its foundation models team and is reportedly spreading leadership duties across multiple senior engineers to maintain progress. Meta’s new AI unit, led by a lineup of influential names including former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and tech entrepreneur Daniel Gross, is positioning itself as a serious contender in the race toward artificial general intelligence. With Pang’s expertise now added to the mix, Meta is signaling that it's not just building tools—it’s assembling a dream team to redefine AI itself. As the competition for advanced AI research intensifies, billion-dollar companies are now willing to offer generational wealth to individuals capable of driving innovation. Pang’s departure isn’t just a high-profile exit for Apple—it’s a reminder that the future of AI may be decided not just by product launches, but by who can attract and retain the few minds capable of building the systems behind them.

Wall Street witnessed a reshuffling of tech supremacy today as Nvidia became the first company to touch a $4 trillion market valuation, marking a dramatic shift in investor confidence and the broader tech landscape. Though its share price dipped slightly after the spike—settling around $163 and pulling its market cap back to $3.9 trillion—the moment signals a clear shift: the age of AI hardware is defining a new generation of market leaders. Nvidia’s rapid ascent has turned it into the most valuable publicly traded company in the world, edging past long-time titans Microsoft and Apple. What began as a GPU manufacturer for gamers has evolved into the global backbone of AI development. As demand explodes for high-performance chips used in data centers, AI model training, and cloud infrastructure, Nvidia’s role in the tech economy has become indispensable. This milestone comes just over a year after the company crossed the $3 trillion mark in June 2024, showcasing growth unmatched by its peers. Microsoft trails behind at roughly $3.74 trillion, with Apple—once the world’s most valuable company—falling to third place at about $3.14 trillion. Both companies remain dominant in their respective domains, but Nvidia’s momentum underscores a shift in where the market sees the future being built. Beyond the top three, other major players like Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta continue to grow but remain behind in the valuation race, hovering between $1.8 and $2.3 trillion. While these companies are all investing heavily in AI, it’s Nvidia’s foundational role in powering those systems that’s catapulting it to new heights. With competition intensifying in the artificial intelligence space and global demand for compute infrastructure skyrocketing, Nvidia’s value surge may just be the beginning of a new era—one where chips and systems, not just software and services, define tech’s biggest winners.

Apple has launched its annual Back to School promotion across Europe, offering university students and educators free AirPods 4 with eligible Mac or iPad purchases. The rollout follows earlier launches in the U.S., Canada, India, and several other regions. The limited-time offer gives students the chance to pick up Apple’s latest devices at a discount, with extra perks like the blue AirPods 4 included at no cost. Customers can also upgrade to AirPods Pro 2 for a reduced price and access discounted accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro or Magic Keyboard. While Apple offers education pricing year-round, this seasonal deal adds extra value just in time for back-to-school shopping.

Apple is entering a new chapter in its leadership playbook. Jeff Williams, the company’s longtime chief operating officer and one of the most influential figures behind Apple’s product operations, has announced his plans to retire at the end of this year. As part of a planned transition, Apple has appointed Sabih Khan as the next COO, signaling a significant leadership shift as the company looks toward its future. Williams, who joined Apple in 1998 and became COO in 2015, played a vital role in shaping the company’s operational strategy, building out its global supply chain, and steering key initiatives like Apple Watch and health technologies. Often described internally as Tim Cook’s right hand, he was long considered a potential successor to the CEO. The transition has reportedly been in the works for months. Apple insiders say Williams’ exit is part of a carefully mapped-out succession plan. During his tenure, he not only fortified Apple’s ability to scale product manufacturing worldwide, but also led collaborative work between hardware, software, and design teams—especially during the rollout of Apple Watch, the company’s first new product line after Steve Jobs’ passing. Sabih Khan, who has been with Apple since 1995, will now take on one of the company’s most demanding roles. Over the past several years, Khan has led Apple’s global operations organization, managing supplier responsibility programs and expanding manufacturing in countries like India and Vietnam. He has also been deeply involved in Apple’s efforts around sustainability and worker welfare at supplier sites. CEO Tim Cook praised Khan as a "brilliant strategist" with deep operational expertise, and emphasized that his steady leadership will be key as Apple navigates a more globally complex landscape. Khan’s promotion comes during a broader wave of change at the executive level. In the past year, Apple has seen several senior leaders depart, including hardware chief Dan Riccio and App Store executive Matt Fischer. Additionally, Apple’s AI division recently took a hit when Meta reportedly lured away Ruoming Pang, who had led Apple’s AI model development team. Pang is expected to join Meta’s Superintelligence Lab, one of several new hubs competing for top AI talent. As Apple manages these leadership changes, it’s also reevaluating its design and product roadmap. The company recently scaled back parts of its iOS 26 Beta 3 interface in response to mixed feedback from early testers, showing that even as it pushes forward, it’s not afraid to make course corrections. With Khan stepping into the COO role, Apple is doubling down on its operational strengths while preparing for a future defined by more diversified manufacturing, ambitious environmental goals, and the growing influence of AI. Williams’ retirement marks the end of an era—one that helped shape Apple’s rise to the world’s most valuable company.

Siri may be on the verge of its biggest transformation yet—not because Apple is giving up on its own AI, but because it’s looking to make it stronger through select outside alliances. As artificial intelligence becomes a defining feature of the modern tech landscape, Apple is engaging in talks with OpenAI and Anthropic—not to outsource its future, but to strengthen the foundation it’s already building. Whispers of Apple abandoning its in-house AI efforts in favor of third-party solutions have begun to swirl, but the reality points in another direction. Rather than choosing between its own Apple Intelligence and external AI models, Apple appears to be combining both, looking to bring more powerful capabilities to Siri without compromising the privacy and security it’s known for. At the center of this strategy is Apple’s Private Cloud Compute framework—servers designed specifically to process AI tasks while minimizing exposure of user data. Apple is reportedly exploring ways to run custom versions of ChatGPT and Claude, the models developed by OpenAI and Anthropic respectively, on these secure systems. This would allow Siri to access advanced generative AI without sending data across public cloud networks. The move isn’t an admission of defeat; it’s part of Apple’s long game. Apple has always partnered with other companies where it makes sense—Google Search is still the default on Safari, and Apple Maps started with data from third parties before becoming a standalone platform. The current round of AI partnerships follows the same philosophy: expand user options, control the experience, and protect privacy at every turn. Inside Apple, executives have made it clear that Apple Intelligence is not about chasing trends. While some rivals release flashy demos of AI tools that often come with data trade-offs, Apple is aiming for something more durable: reliable, context-aware, and private AI built to integrate deeply into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Siri’s upgrade, when it arrives, won’t just be a facelift. It will mark the beginning of a new architecture for how Apple handles intelligent requests—from summarizing content and composing messages to reasoning across apps and delivering results that feel truly personalized. Whether powered by Apple’s own models or enhanced by OpenAI or Anthropic under the hood, the end goal is the same: a faster, smarter Siri that never compromises your privacy. In a market saturated with AI hype and half-measures, Apple’s approach may seem slow, but it’s deliberate. The company is not looking to impress with flashy shortcuts, but to reshape how people interact with technology for the long term. And if that future includes Anthropic and OpenAI in a supporting role, it’s only because Apple wants the best of all worlds—for itself, and for its users.

Apple is heading toward one of the most consequential legal battles in its history after a federal judge declined to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice. The case, which targets Apple’s control over its devices and services, will now proceed to trial — raising the possibility of sweeping changes to the company’s business practices. Originally filed in 2024, the DOJ’s case accuses Apple of building invisible barriers around its ecosystem, making it difficult for competitors to thrive and consumers to switch. The lawsuit doesn’t focus on one product but rather questions the entire structure of Apple’s tightly integrated hardware and software approach, which the government argues harms innovation and locks users in. Apple had asked the court to throw out the lawsuit early, arguing that its business decisions are legal and pro-consumer. After months of delay, a new judge assigned to the case has now denied that request. The courtroom battle ahead will scrutinize how Apple manages features like iMessage, Apple Pay, Apple Watch integration, and its NFC system — and whether it does so in a way that unfairly tilts the market in its favor. This lawsuit follows years of mounting global pressure on Apple to loosen its grip on key technologies. In the U.S., the Spotify-led complaints dating back to 2019 planted early seeds for government interest. In the European Union, the Digital Markets Act has already pushed Apple to change course on some App Store policies and payment options. The DOJ appears ready to take a similarly aggressive stance. Though Apple has made recent changes — including supporting RCS for messaging and enabling third-party developers to use tap-to-pay — regulators argue that these steps are too little, too late. Critics say Apple tends to open access only after legal or regulatory pressure, and that meaningful competition is still being held back. One of the case’s most debated points is how Apple allegedly suppresses the development of “super apps” — platforms that could offer services like messaging, payments, and commerce all in one. While these apps are common in other markets, U.S. developers have long claimed that Apple’s rules prevent such innovation from reaching iPhone users. Cloud gaming is another area that may be examined at trial. While Apple technically allows it under current policies, companies like Microsoft have hesitated to bring services like Xbox Cloud Gaming to iOS, citing friction in the approval process. Apple argues it’s simply applying consistent rules to all developers, but the DOJ may frame these restrictions as barriers to entry. The trial could stretch on for years, and even if Apple prevails, appeals are likely. In the meantime, the company may face pressure from lawmakers and regulators across both political parties, who have signaled continued interest in reining in big tech. If the DOJ succeeds, Apple could be forced to open more of its platform to third-party services, change how it handles default apps, or even rethink how the iPhone integrates with other devices. And while Apple insists its ecosystem provides superior user experience and privacy, it may now have to convince a judge that these benefits don’t come at the cost of competition.

Apple has launched a legal battle against one of its former engineers, accusing him of misappropriating confidential augmented reality technology tied to its Vision Pro headset and taking it with him to a new job at Snap. The lawsuit, filed in California, targets Di Liu — a design engineer who, Apple claims, quietly copied sensitive files before his departure. The dispute is part of a growing pattern of legal action Apple has taken in recent years to shield its internal innovation pipeline. This time, the concern centers around advanced AR technologies, some of which Apple says haven’t even been publicly announced. Liu reportedly told Apple that he was leaving the company to spend time with his family, omitting any mention of his upcoming role at Snap — the parent company of Snapchat and creator of Spectacles smart glasses. Had he disclosed his new employer, Apple says his access to internal tools and documentation would have been immediately revoked. Instead, during his final weeks at Apple, Liu allegedly uploaded a substantial amount of proprietary data to personal cloud storage. Apple believes Liu deleted several files in an attempt to cover his tracks, but the company says it still uncovered digital evidence showing unusual file activity and retention of protected documents. Apple argues that these materials closely align with Snap’s ongoing work in AR wearables, raising red flags about potential misuse. Despite the accusations, Snap is not named in the lawsuit and has denied any connection between Liu’s current role and the confidential data in question. A Snap representative stated that the company has reviewed the allegations and found no indication of wrongdoing tied to Liu’s employment. The case underscores how competitive — and legally sensitive — the race to dominate spatial computing has become. With Apple betting big on Vision Pro and future mixed-reality products, the company appears more willing than ever to take former employees to court to defend its technological edge. This isn't the first time Apple has taken such steps. Over the past three years, it has pursued multiple lawsuits related to employee misconduct, including disputes involving secretive car projects and unauthorized leaks to the media. In one notable case, Apple reached a settlement in 2024 with Rivos, a startup it accused of luring away staff and obtaining confidential chip design documents. The lawsuit against Liu doesn’t just demand the return of sensitive materials — it also seeks monetary damages. Still, with digital files potentially already viewed or shared, the effectiveness of any legal remedy remains uncertain. What is clear is that Apple sees threats to its AR research as existential. As the company continues to develop next-generation wearables, it's sending a strong message: walk away with secrets, and you may be walking straight into a courtroom.

Amazon is offering a major discount on the latest 13-inch MacBook Air powered by Apple’s new M4 chip. Normally priced at $999, the sleek and powerful laptop is now available for just $849—a $150 savings ahead of Prime Day. This MacBook Air features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, 16GB of unified memory, 256GB SSD storage, and the fanless M4 chip built for speed, efficiency, and Apple Intelligence. It also includes a 12MP front-facing camera with Center Stage, MagSafe charging, and up to 18 hours of battery life. Whether you're a student, traveler, or just need a reliable everyday laptop, this is one of the best prices we've seen for a brand-new MacBook Air. No coupon or membership is required—just act fast before the deal ends.

TikTok's presence in the U.S. continues under a cloud of uncertainty, despite a federal law calling for its sale or removal from app stores. Enforcement of the ban has been paused multiple times, most recently by former President Donald Trump, who now claims a new deal to transfer TikTok’s U.S. operations is close to happening. Speaking to reporters, Trump stated that an investor group is ready to purchase the U.S. segment of TikTok from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The potential buyers reportedly include Oracle, Blackstone, and Andreessen Horowitz—a consortium that was previously considered but saw negotiations stall due to geopolitical tensions. Any agreement would still require approval from Chinese regulators, who have so far resisted allowing the transfer of core technology abroad. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave no indication of a policy shift, maintaining a cautious stance on the matter. The proposed deal would reportedly result in a U.S.-controlled entity managing TikTok’s operations stateside, with ByteDance retaining a minority stake. However, even this structure might not satisfy both U.S. lawmakers and Chinese authorities. TikTok has technically been banned in the U.S. since January 19, but the company continues to operate while the mandate remains unenforced. App stores are still hosting the app, deferring penalties as the political and legal drama plays out. Though the outcome remains uncertain, the latest developments suggest that discussions around TikTok’s future are far from over—especially with high-profile voices like Trump continuing to push for a sale.

In a major courtroom setback, Apple has been ordered to pay $110.7 million after a U.S. jury determined the company violated wireless technology patents owned by Spain-based TOT Power Control. The decision follows a lengthy legal dispute that centers on key components used in iPhones and other Apple products. The case revolves around technology that optimizes power usage in devices relying on 3G networks—specifically, how signals adapt in response to fluctuating interference levels. TOT Power Control, led by inventor and engineer Alvaro Lopez-Medrano, holds patents in this area, though the company itself does not produce consumer products. Instead, its focus has been on licensing its intellectual property, and it has previously taken legal action against major players in the mobile space, including Samsung, Verizon, LG, and T-Mobile. TOT first brought its claims against Apple in 2021, alleging that the Cupertino-based tech giant had declined to license its patented power-management systems despite earlier attempts to initiate discussions. Apple, in turn, argued that the patents were invalid and not applicable to the technology in question—but the jury disagreed. The outcome of the trial adds another layer to Apple’s ongoing battles over wireless technologies and patent licensing. While the company has largely moved on from 3G in its newest iPhones, including the iPhone 15 series, many legacy technologies and devices remain covered under patent terms that span decades. That legal web continues to entangle companies like Apple, even as they develop more advanced wireless standards such as 5G and beyond. TOT sought not only damages for past infringement, but also future royalties tied to Apple’s use of the patented technology. Whether Apple will be required to pay ongoing fees is still unclear and may depend on the result of future appeals. In a statement to the press, Apple voiced its frustration with the ruling, confirming plans to challenge the verdict. Legal experts suggest the company may pursue a multi-pronged appeal that questions both the interpretation of the patents and the process that led to the jury’s finding. While Apple’s loss in this case won’t significantly dent its bottom line, the ruling serves as a reminder of the legal risks associated with mobile hardware development—particularly in an industry where core technologies are often covered by overlapping and fiercely defended patents. As innovation pushes forward, courtroom disputes over foundational wireless infrastructure remain a powerful force in shaping the financial and technical realities of the mobile landscape.

With Apple Intelligence, you can craft personalized Genmojis that add a creative and fun touch to your messages. Whether you want to design one from scratch or base it on a photo, here's a quick guide to get started. Creating a Genmoji: Open any text field and tap the Emoji button or the Next Keyboard key. Tap the Genmoji icon at the top of the emoji keyboard. In the Describe a Genmoji field, type a description, such as "DJ octopus". Tap Done to see your Genmoji appear. Swipe through the available Genmojis and tap Add to include it in your message. Creating a Genmoji from a Photo: Open the Genmoji interface and enter a description, such as "Danny's birthday celebration." Tap Choose a Person and select a name from your photo library. Pick a variation to personalize the Genmoji further. Editing Your Genmoji: If the result isn’t perfect, adjust it: Tap the New Genmoji screen and update your description. Example: Change "Cat sitting on a couch" to "Orange cat sitting on a cloud." Deleting a Genmoji: Open the emoji keyboard and tap the Stickers button. Touch and hold the Genmoji you want to remove, then select Remove. Now you’re ready to create and share unique Genmojis with friends and family!

This holiday season, Apple is giving everyone a chance to enjoy the timeless classic A Charlie Brown Christmas for free. On December 14 and 15, anyone with an Apple ID can stream the beloved Peanuts holiday special, making it easier than ever to share the joy of Charlie Brown and his friends with your family. Here's how to watch: Get an Apple ID If you don’t have one, sign up for free at appleid.apple.com . No credit card is required. Choose Your Device Watch through the Apple TV app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Stream on smart TVs with the Apple TV app. Access online at tv.apple.com . Use an Apple TV device if you own one. Stream the Special Open the Apple TV app or website. Search for A Charlie Brown Christmas and start streaming. Enjoy the holiday classic for free during these two days! After December 15, the special will require an Apple TV+ subscription.