Tag: Apple

Apple will start making its Mac Mini desktop computers in the United States later this year, in a major change to its global production strategy. The devices will be assembled at the company’s expanded manufacturing facility in Houston, which is already being used to produce advanced artificial intelligence servers.

The move is part of Apple’s broader plan to invest about $600 billion in the US. The investment is aimed at strengthening local manufacturing, building a stronger supply chain and creating jobs. The Houston expansion is expected to generate thousands of new roles and will also house a training centre to help workers learn advanced manufacturing skills.

Chief executive Tim Cook said the company remains strongly committed to the future of American manufacturing. He noted that production of AI servers at the same facility has already started earlier than planned. Apple has also been increasing the number of components it sources from US suppliers, including chips made at multiple plants across the country.

The decision comes as Washington continues to push for more domestic production. Tariff threats during the tenure of Donald Trump had encouraged several global technology firms to consider shifting some manufacturing to the US to reduce dependence on imports.

However, most of Apple’s products will still be made in Asia. The US plant will initially focus mainly on meeting domestic demand. The Mac Mini is a smaller and less complex product compared with devices like the iPhone, making it easier to assemble locally.

The new project will double Apple’s manufacturing space in Houston and support its long-term goal of building a stronger ecosystem for high-end technology production in the US. The company has already made progress under its American manufacturing programme by sourcing billions of dollars’ worth of US-made chips and launching training initiatives for smaller manufacturers.

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Apple has announced a global event on March 4 called the “Special Apple Experience.” The event will have in‑person gatherings in New York, London, and Shanghai, starting at 9 am ET. Unlike the usual big keynote, this event is expected to be more interactive, letting the media get hands-on with new products.

While Apple hasn’t confirmed the lineup, industry reports point to several updates. The highlight could be the iPhone 17e, a budget-friendly addition to Apple’s latest smartphone series. Mac fans may see refreshed MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models powered by the new M5 chips, alongside a possible low-cost MacBook aimed at first-time users.

iPads could also get upgrades. The base iPad may feature a faster A18 chip, while the iPad Air is expected to get the M4 processor, boosting performance and AI features.

Apple has not yet confirmed if the event will be streamed online, but with multiple product launches likely, March 4 is shaping up to be one of the company’s key launch events this year.

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Apple Inc. will open its sixth official retail store in India on February 26, expanding its presence in one of its fastest-growing markets. The new outlet will be located in Borivali, a key residential and commercial hub in Mumbai.

The store will open at the Oberoi Sky City Mall, becoming Apple’s second retail outlet in Mumbai after its flagship store at Apple BKC. With this launch, Apple continues to deepen its physical retail footprint across major Indian cities.

India has become an increasingly important market for Apple, both in terms of sales and manufacturing. The company has steadily expanded its retail operations to provide customers with direct access to its full product lineup, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and accessories.

The Borivali store will offer personalised services such as product setup, technical assistance at the Genius Bar, and Today at Apple sessions ,  free workshops designed to help customers explore photography, coding, creativity and more. Customers will also have access to Apple Trade In and pickup services.

Apple’s expansion strategy reflects its long-term commitment to India. By choosing Borivali, the company aims to serve customers in Mumbai’s western suburbs, making its products and services more accessible beyond central business districts.

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Apple Inc. has acquired Israeli artificial intelligence start‑up Q.AI in a deal valued at around $2 billion, marking one of the company’s largest acquisitions in recent years.

Founded in 2022, Q.AI specializes in advanced machine-learning technology capable of interpreting facial micro‑movements and silent speech, allowing devices to understand user intentions without spoken commands. The start-up has a team of roughly 100 employees, who will join Apple following the acquisition.

The deal signals Apple’s ambition to strengthen its capabilities in wearable devices and AI-powered interfaces. Analysts expect the technology could be integrated into products such as AirPods, smart glasses, or Apple’s Vision Pro headsets, enabling more intuitive ways for users to interact with devices.

Apple has faced increasing competition from tech rivals including Meta, Google, and OpenAI in the AI space, particularly in voice assistants and mixed-reality devices. Industry experts say this acquisition shows Apple’s determination to catch up in AI innovation and enhance its on-device intelligence.

The Q.AI acquisition is second only to Apple’s 2014 purchase of Beats in terms of scale and reflects the tech giant’s broader strategy to invest in next-generation AI technologies that transform user interaction.

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India’s competition watchdog has intensified its scrutiny of Apple Inc. after rejecting the company’s request to temporarily halt an ongoing antitrust investigation into its App Store policies. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has made it clear that the probe will continue, warning Apple that repeated delays and non-compliance will no longer be tolerated.

The case originates from complaints filed by Tinder owner Match Group and several Indian start-ups, who allege that Apple abused its dominant position in the iOS ecosystem. They claim Apple forces app developers to use its in-app payment system and restricts them from informing users about alternative payment options. Such practices, the complainants argue, increase costs for developers and limit consumer choice.

A CCI investigation report prepared last year found prima facie evidence suggesting Apple engaged in anti-competitive conduct. Apple has strongly contested these findings, maintaining that its App Store rules are designed to ensure user security, privacy, and a consistent digital experience.

In recent months, Apple sought to pause the antitrust proceedings, citing a separate legal challenge in the Delhi High Court. The company is questioning amendments to India’s Competition Act and new penalty guidelines that allow regulators to calculate fines based on a firm’s global turnover. Apple argues that this could expose it to disproportionately large penalties for alleged violations linked only to the Indian market.

However, in a confidential order issued late December, the CCI rejected Apple’s request. The regulator noted that Apple had already been granted multiple extensions to submit financial data and responses, and that further delays would undermine the investigation process. The CCI warned that it could proceed with the case even without Apple’s cooperation if deadlines are missed.

The standoff highlights India’s increasingly assertive approach to regulating large technology companies. Authorities have signalled that global tech giants will be held to the same competitive standards as domestic firms.

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Apple has introduced Creator Studio, a new all-in-one subscription aimed at content creators, as it looks to expand its fast-growing services segment. The launch comes at a time when Apple is focusing more on software and subscriptions to balance slower growth in hardware sales.

Creator Studio combines Apple’s professional creative applications into a single monthly plan. The service will go live on January 28, 2026, and will cost $12.99 per month or $129 annually, with discounted pricing for students. It will be available on both Mac and iPad.

The subscription includes powerful tools such as Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro and Pixelmator Pro, covering video editing, music creation and image design. Mac users also gain access to apps like Motion and Compressor, while iPad users can take advantage of improved touch controls and Apple Pencil support.

Apple is placing strong emphasis on AI-driven features to attract users. In video editing, new tools allow creators to search clips using spoken words, identify visuals automatically and sync edits with music beats. Music creators can use AI to recognise chords and generate sounds, reducing the time needed to produce tracks.

Beyond creative apps, Apple is adding AI upgrades to everyday tools such as Pages, Numbers and Keynote, helping users create content faster and more efficiently. Additional AI updates for Freeform, Apple’s digital collaboration app, are expected later this year.

Although Apple will continue to sell its apps separately, Creator Studio offers exclusive AI tools and premium features that are not available with one-time purchases. This strategy reflects Apple’s growing focus on subscriptions and predictable revenue.

With Creator Studio, Apple is positioning itself as a strong alternative to established creative software platforms, while deepening engagement within its ecosystem and reinforcing its long-term services strategy.

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