Apple

Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple CEO on August 31, 2026, after a 15-year tenure. He will be succeeded by John Ternus, senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, and will remain as executive chair. Under Cook, Apple’s market capitalization grew from approximately $350 billion to over $4 trillion, and its Services segment revenue surpassed $100 billion. The transition marks a major leadership change for the tech giant.

35 reports · 14 sources · Updated Sep 4, 09:36 AM UTC

Apple has formally accused OpenAI of destroying evidence in a trade secrets lawsuit, alleging former engineer Chang Liu downloaded a confidential power-converter schematic and used it within OpenAI's AI workflow. Apple claims Liu directed a colleague to destroy evidence after learning of the investigation. OpenAI calls the dispute "a mess of Apple's own making." Apple seeks monetary damages, an injunction, and destruction of proprietary materials. A judge will hear arguments on October 1.

13 reports · 7 sources · Updated Sep 4, 09:00 AM UTC

On August 27, 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' within U.S. jurisdiction, escalating symbolic tensions amid an ongoing trade war with Canada. The move applies only to the American portion of the lake, which borders New York and Ontario. Canadian officials and environmental groups criticized the act as disregarding historical and geographical significance. The order sparked widespread online mockery and was covered by major outlets including CNBC, BBC, and AP News.

43 reports · 13 sources · Updated Sep 2, 11:00 PM UTC

Apple announced its annual fall iPhone launch event for September 9, 2026, at its Cupertino headquarters, marking the first major product unveiling under incoming CEO John Ternus, who succeeds Tim Cook as executive chairman. The event, themed “Surprise and Shine,” is expected to feature new iPhones, including a rumored foldable model, Apple Watch updates, and a new Siri AI powered by large language models. The launch follows earlier announcements of new Mac Mini and Mac Studio models.

8 reports · 4 sources · Updated Sep 1, 07:49 PM UTC

U.S. President Donald Trump escalated a trade dispute with Canada by proposing and later signing an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America." The move followed failed trade talks, U.S. tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s defiant remarks. Canada retaliated with tariffs on U.S. electricity, oil, and minerals. Trump also repeated calls for Canada to become the 51st state, which Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected. The renaming echoes Trump’s earlier order to rename the Gulf of Mexico.

28 reports · 11 sources · Updated Sep 1, 12:30 AM UTC

Apple announced new Mac Mini and Mac Studio models at a "Surprise and Shine" event in New York, featuring M6, M5 Pro, M5 Max, and M5 Ultra chips built on TSMC’s 2-nanometer process. The devices are designed for local AI development, offering significant performance boosts for large language models and AI workloads. Pre-sales began August 25, 2026, with shipping on September 22. The launch underscores Apple’s strategic pivot toward AI-optimized desktop hardware.

6 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 29, 01:00 PM UTC

Apple raised the monthly price of Apple TV+ in the United States from $12.99 to $14.99, effective immediately, marking the fourth price hike in four years. The annual subscription rose from $99 to $119, and the Apple One bundle increased to $21.95 per month. The move reflects broader "streaming inflation" as services raise prices to improve profitability amid rising licensing costs and competitive pressures.

14 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 29, 02:09 AM UTC

Micron Technology unveiled Micron Research Labs, a $10 billion research institution in Boise, Idaho, focused on next-generation memory, AI, and semiconductor technologies. Construction begins in 2027, housing hundreds of researchers. The lab will collaborate with universities like Stanford and UT Austin, and partners including Nvidia and Apple. This investment is separate from Micron’s $250 billion U.S. manufacturing plan. The initiative aims to strengthen U.S. semiconductor independence and meet AI-driven memory demand, with support from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

10 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 22, 01:38 AM UTC

Apple announced a major revision to its EU App Store fee structure, effective October 2026, replacing complex per-install fees with a flat 5% commission on digital transactions for apps distributed outside its store. Higher fees apply for alternative payment processing (up to 20%) and link-out purchases (up to 15%). The European Commission welcomed the changes, which follow a €500 million fine and aim to resolve disputes under the Digital Markets Act. Critics, including Epic Games, called the new fees "junk fees."

8 reports · 5 sources · Updated Aug 19, 04:23 AM UTC

Intel announced a $15 billion stock offering on August 10, 2026, to fund AI chip growth, capital expenditures, and working capital. The offering was later upsized to $20 billion after institutional orders exceeded $100 billion, with major backers including the U.S. government, Nvidia, and SoftBank. Intel's stock initially fell 5% on dilution concerns but remains up 175% year-to-date. The company secured Tesla as a foundry customer and raised its 2026 capital spending target to $20 billion.

17 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 18, 07:33 PM UTC

Chinese memory chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) surged over 500% in its Shanghai IPO, becoming China's most valuable company at $523 billion, driven by AI-related memory shortages. Meanwhile, Apple is testing CXMT chips for iPhones and MacBooks to diversify supply chains, despite U.S. lawmakers urging Apple to avoid CXMT due to Pentagon links to Chinese military entities. Experts debate whether this signals a long-term shift in global AI supply chains or a temporary boost, with geopolitical risks limiting widespread adoption.

9 reports · 3 sources · Updated Aug 10, 01:25 PM UTC

India proposed extending tax exemptions until 2041 for foreign companies supplying machinery to contract manufacturers, a major win for Apple after lobbying. The move supports Apple's diversification from China, with India expected to produce 26% of iPhones globally by 2026. The draft bill also exempts income from storing electronic components in customs-bonded areas, eases data center tax rules, and offers a 15-year tax break for foreign diamond traders.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 8, 03:25 PM UTC

Chinese DRAM maker CXMT (ChangXin Memory Technologies) debuted on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on July 27, 2026, surging 472% after a US$9.8 billion IPO—China's second-largest ever. The listing gave CXMT a US$487 billion market cap, making it China's most valuable publicly traded company and roughly half the value of global leaders Micron and SK Hynix. The event underscores Beijing's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency amid geopolitical tensions and strong investor appetite for domestic chip champions.

24 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 8, 12:35 PM UTC

Amazon disclosed receiving $600 million in tariff refunds in Q2 2026, following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated many Trump-era tariffs imposed under IEEPA. CFO Brian Olsavsky said the company will automatically refund customers in limited cases where tariff charges were directly passed on, and use remaining funds to lower prices. The refunds come amid a class-action lawsuit accusing Amazon of initially avoiding refunds to curry favor with Trump. Other major retailers like Apple, Walmart, and Costco also applied for refunds.

7 reports · 3 sources · Updated Aug 7, 10:26 PM UTC

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing it of stealing trade secrets via former employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan to boost OpenAI’s consumer hardware efforts. Apple seeks a preliminary injunction and expedited discovery. OpenAI publicly refutes the claims, calling the lawsuit “careless, aggressive, and oddly personal,” and provides email and chat evidence to support its denial. The legal battle highlights escalating competition over AI-powered devices that could challenge Apple’s iPhone dominance.

29 reports · 8 sources · Updated Aug 6, 05:40 PM UTC

Larry Berg, co-owner of Los Angeles FC and former Apollo Global Management senior partner, has been voted the next commissioner of Major League Soccer, succeeding Don Garber. Berg received the required two-thirds supermajority from MLS owners, defeating former Fox executive David Nathanson. He will assume the role on January 1, 2027, and must divest his LAFC stake. Berg inherits critical challenges including roster rule reforms, a new collective bargaining agreement with players, and a media rights deal renewal as the league transitions to a summer-to-spring calendar.

10 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 5, 06:52 AM UTC

Amazon reported Q2 2026 earnings of $5.75 per share, far exceeding estimates, with revenue up 20% to $200.6 billion. AWS grew 37% to $42.2 billion, its fastest in 18 quarters. Net income surged to $62.6 billion, boosted by $53.4 billion from Anthropic investments. Despite heavy AI infrastructure spending causing negative free cash flow, CEO Andy Jassy reassured investors, and shares rose up to 15% in after-hours trading.

18 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 4, 03:46 PM UTC

Apple reported strong fiscal Q3 2026 earnings, with revenue up 16.4% to $109.42 billion and record iPhone sales of $54.25 billion, beating expectations. However, its Q4 revenue forecast of 9-11% growth missed Wall Street's 12% target, citing severe supply constraints on advanced chips and rising memory costs. Services revenue and Greater China sales also fell short. CEO Tim Cook flagged ongoing supply chain struggles, including memory shortages driven by AI infrastructure demand. Shares fell 5-7% in after-hours trading. The quarter marks Cook's last before handing over to John Ternus.

7 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 1, 02:44 AM UTC

Meta Platforms reported Q2 2026 earnings per share of $6.18, missing estimates by 14%, as costs surged 55% to $42 billion. Revenue rose 28% to $60.8 billion, but free cash flow collapsed 91% to $784 million due to $31 billion in capital expenditures for AI infrastructure. Shares fell 10% in after-hours trading, erasing $15 billion from CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s stake. The company raised full-year capex guidance to $130-145 billion and hinted at launching a cloud business, while investors questioned the return on massive AI spending.

9 reports · 2 sources · Updated Jul 30, 05:03 PM UTC

U.S. senators have warned Apple against purchasing memory chips from Chinese companies CXMT and YMTC, which are on the Pentagon's list of entities linked to the Chinese military. Apple is reportedly in talks to acquire chips from these firms amid a global supply squeeze that is driving up memory prices. The senators argue that such a deal would make Apple reliant on critical supplies from entities the U.S. government considers a national security risk. The warning highlights ongoing tensions between U.S. technology firms and Chinese semiconductor suppliers, as well as the broader geopolitical implications of supply chain dependencies in the memory chip market.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 30, 03:04 AM UTC

Apple has told the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that proposed rules governing its App Store would amount to price regulation, arguing that plans to loosen its control over in-app payments could undermine innovation and investment. In a submission to the CMA, Apple said proposed 'steering' requirements would give the regulator a 'highly intrusive' role in managing its business. The CMA's consultation, part of Britain's new digital markets regime, would allow app developers to direct users to payment options outside Apple's and Google's app stores, with fees required to be fair and reasonable. Apple stated its App Store facilitated over £46.5 billion in UK billings in 2025, with commissions under 3.5% of the total, and argued there is no evidence changes would lower consumer prices. The Coalition for App Fairness countered that Apple uses its dominant position to gain unfair advantages. Apple and Google were designated under the UK digital markets regime last year.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 03:55 PM UTC

Apple launched "Apple Upgrade," a device leasing program in partnership with Klarna, on July 28, 2026, in the United States. The program replaces Apple's existing iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments, offering 12-24 month terms for iPhones and Apple Watches, and 24-36 months for Macs and iPads. Monthly payments start at $17.99. Customers can return, upgrade, or buy devices at lease end. The move follows recent Apple price hikes due to memory chip shortages and aims to make higher-priced devices more accessible, though budget models are excluded.

12 reports · 5 sources · Updated Jul 29, 02:49 PM UTC

Binance announced that its tokenized securities offering, bStocks, has surpassed $500 million in assets under management (AUM) just seven weeks after its June 11, 2026 launch. The product has expanded from five to over 46 listings, including major companies like Apple, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs. Data shows bStocks is attracting a crypto-native audience, with Gen Z accounting for 44% of trading activity and 41.5% of users making their first traditional finance investment through tokenized securities. Outside U.S. market hours, bStocks represent 58% of equity-linked trading volume on Binance, with $2 billion in weekend volume. The offering allows 24/7 trading and free instant conversion between tokenized and underlying stocks, integrated with Binance's broader ecosystem of spot, equities, and perpetual futures.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 01:00 PM UTC

Payments firm Stripe and private equity firm Advent International jointly offered $60.50 per share to acquire PayPal, valuing the company at over $53 billion. The proposal, backed by $50 billion in committed bank financing, would give Stripe and Advent equal ownership. PayPal shares surged up to 28% on the news. The deal reflects major consolidation in digital payments, as PayPal faces slowing growth and competition from Apple Pay and Google Pay. Neither PayPal nor Stripe has officially confirmed the offer.

46 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 28, 10:57 PM UTC

Apple's incoming CEO, hardware chief John Ternus, has stated his commitment to building on the company's momentum in the entertainment sector, specifically in movies and TV. The announcement was made during the premiere of the fourth season of 'Ted Lasso' at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on July 27, 2026. Ternus, who is set to succeed Tim Cook, emphasized the importance of Apple's progress in original content production and distribution. The article, published by The Business Times on July 29, 2026, highlights Ternus's focus on continuing Apple's expansion into the entertainment industry, leveraging its streaming platform and original programming to drive growth. This strategic direction signals a continued investment in Apple TV+ and related content initiatives under new leadership.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 10:29 PM UTC

Apple's incoming CEO, hardware chief John Ternus, has stated his commitment to building on the company's momentum in the entertainment sector, particularly in movies and television. Ternus, who is set to succeed Tim Cook, made the remarks while attending the world premiere of the fourth season of 'Ted Lasso' in Los Angeles on July 27, 2026. The event signals a strategic focus on Apple TV+ and original content as a key growth area for the tech giant under new leadership. Ternus, previously known for overseeing hardware development, is now signaling a continued push into Hollywood and streaming services.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 10:29 PM UTC

Apple (AAPL) stock edged higher on July 28, 2026, after announcing a flexible hardware-leasing program called Apple Upgrade in partnership with Klarna. The program allows U.S. customers to lease iPhones, iPads, Macs, or Apple Watches starting at $17.99 per month, lowering upfront costs and potentially accelerating upgrade cycles while generating recurring revenue. Apple became the second company after Nvidia to reach a $5 trillion market cap, with shares around $340. However, Jefferies analysts maintained a Hold rating with a $309 price target, citing expected gross margin declines despite price hikes. The consensus rating remains Moderate Buy, but the mean price target of $321 suggests over 5% downside from current levels. Apple's Q3 earnings are scheduled for July 30.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 07:19 PM UTC

On July 17, 2026, Apple overtook Nvidia to become the world's most valuable publicly traded company, with a market capitalization of approximately $4.88 trillion versus Nvidia's $4.84–$4.86 trillion. The shift was driven by a pullback in AI-infrastructure stocks, strong iPhone 17 sales, Apple's $100 billion buyback, and investor confidence in its AI-enhanced Siri. Nvidia's decline also reflected uncertainty over China chip sales and a new Chinese AI model. The lead remained slim and could change hands quickly.

13 reports · 5 sources · Updated Jul 28, 06:04 PM UTC

Apple Inc. became the second company ever to achieve a US$5 trillion market valuation, following a 1.8% rise in its share price to US$342.89 on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The milestone was reported by The Business Times Singapore, marking a significant achievement for the iPhone maker. The article notes that Apple joins an exclusive club of companies reaching this valuation, though it does not specify which company was the first. The news reflects continued investor confidence in Apple's business performance and market position.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 02:19 PM UTC

Apple is facing a lawsuit for allegedly keeping a fake Bitcoin wallet app on its App Store for over a week after a customer reported losing $875,000. The lawsuit claims three plaintiffs collectively lost $1.84 million after downloading an app impersonating Sparrow Wallet and entering their Bitcoin seed phrases. The plaintiffs argue Apple's marketing led them to believe apps were carefully vetted and safe. The legal action accuses Apple of violating consumer-protection laws, fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation, and failure to warn consumers. Apple has faced similar lawsuits before, including a 2021 case that was dismissed. The plaintiffs seek reimbursement, compensatory and punitive damages. Apple says it has removed the impersonating apps and terminated associated developer accounts.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 02:04 PM UTC